1
a
: lacking material possessions
b
: of, relating to, or characterized by poverty
2
a
: less than adequate : meager
b
: small in worth
3
: exciting pity
you poor thing
4
6
: barren, unproductive
—used of land
7
8
: lacking a normal or adequate supply of something specified
—often used in combination
oil-poor countries
poorness
noun
Examples of poor in a Sentence
We were too poor to buy new clothes.
The organization helps poor families.
She has a poor vocabulary.
It was a poor attempt at a joke.
He is in poor condition.
She couldn't read the sign because her vision was too poor.
Recent Examples on the Web
In fact, poor connectivity alone accounts for 55% of failed charging sessions, according to the Electrification Institute.
—
Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 10 Oct. 2025
Key Takeaways Several things can contribute to sugar cravings, including conditioning, undereating, poor sleep, and stress.
—Jamie Johnson, Verywell Health, 10 Oct. 2025
Carroll said with over two million packages a day delivered in New York City, the fee would be a boon and largely bypass the city’s poorest residents.
—Kevin Williams, CNBC, 10 Oct. 2025
The procedure allows oxygen-poor blood in a child's body to go right to their pulmonary artery instead of through their heart chambers.
—Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 10 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for poor
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Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 10 Oct. 2025
Key Takeaways Several things can contribute to sugar cravings, including conditioning, undereating, poor sleep, and stress.
—Jamie Johnson, Verywell Health, 10 Oct. 2025
Carroll said with over two million packages a day delivered in New York City, the fee would be a boon and largely bypass the city’s poorest residents.
—Kevin Williams, CNBC, 10 Oct. 2025
The procedure allows oxygen-poor blood in a child's body to go right to their pulmonary artery instead of through their heart chambers.
—Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 10 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for poor
Cite this Entry
“Poor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/poor. Accessed 18 Oct. 2025.
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