poor

[pʊər]

poor Definition

  • 1lacking sufficient money to live at a standard considered comfortable or normal in a society
  • 2of a low or inferior standard or quality

Using poor: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "poor" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

  • Example

    Many people in this region are too poor to afford basic necessities.

  • Example

    The company's poor performance led to its bankruptcy.

  • Example

    The poor quality of the product made it difficult to sell.

  • Example

    She has a poor sense of direction.

poor Synonyms and Antonyms

Idioms Using poor

  • something that is not a good enough reason or explanation for something else

    Example

    His absence from the meeting was a poor excuse for not completing the project on time.

  • poor man's/woman's something

    a cheaper or inferior alternative to something

    Example

    This brand is often referred to as the poor man's Rolex.

  • lacking in propriety or offensiveness

    Example

    His joke about the tragedy was in poor taste and offended many people.

Phrases with poor

  • a cheaper or inferior alternative to something

    Example

    This restaurant is known for its poor man's version of lobster.

  • a child who has grown up in a wealthy family but is often neglected emotionally

    Example

    Despite having everything, she was a poor little rich kid who craved attention and love.

  • having little or no money at all

    Example

    After losing his job, he was poor as a church mouse and had to rely on his savings.

Origins of poor

from Old French 'povre', from Latin 'pauper'

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Summary: poor in Brief

The term 'poor' [pʊər] refers to a lack of sufficient money to live comfortably or to something of low quality. It can describe people, products, or situations, as in 'The company's poor performance led to its bankruptcy.' 'Poor' extends into phrases like 'poor man's something,' and idioms like 'poor taste,' denoting offensiveness. Antonyms include 'wealthy' and 'affluent.'

How do native speakers use this expression?