How do you use "Poorly" in a sentence?

The baby's been poorly all night. I'm feeling a bit poorly today. She was proper poorly with that flu.

Poorly

Q: What does "Poorly" mean?

Unwell; ill. In British English, 'poorly' is a gentler way to say sick or ill—particularly when talking to or about children. 'The little one's poorly' is how a parent might explain a child's absence. It's also used for adults but carries a slightly more sympathetic, nurturing tone than clinical terms. Being 'proper poorly' suggests something more serious than just feeling off.

Slang Term British ★★★★☆ Common Casual

Meaning: Unwell; ill.

身体不舒服；生病。

Enfermo; indispuesto.

体調が悪い、具合が悪い。

몸이 안 좋은, 아픈.

In British English, 'poorly' is a gentler way to say sick or ill—particularly when talking to or about children. 'The little one's poorly' is how a parent might explain a child's absence. It's also used for adults but carries a slightly more sympathetic, nurturing tone than clinical terms. Being 'proper poorly' suggests something more serious than just feeling off.

「feeling poorly」意思是身体不舒服——非常英式的轻描淡写说法。「She's poorly」是温柔而充满同情的表达。常用于说孩子或被父母使用。比「ill」或「sick」听起来更柔和。

«Feeling poorly» significa sentirse mal, es un eufemismo británico muy suave para la enfermedad. «She's poorly» es tierno y compasivo. Se usa a menudo con niños o por los padres. Menos clínico que «ill» o «sick».

「feeling poorly」は体調が悪いという意味——病気のイギリス的な控えめ表現。「She's poorly」はやさしく思いやりのある言い方。子供に対して、または親がよく使う。「ill」や「sick」より堅苦しくない。

영국 영어에서 'poorly'는 아프다(sick, ill)를 더 부드럽게 표현하는 말로, 특히 아이에 대해 말하거나 아이에게 말할 때 사용한다. '아기가 아파요(The little one's poorly)'는 부모가 아이의 결석을 설명하는 방식이다. 어른에게도 사용되지만 임상적 표현보다 좀 더 동정적이고 다정한 어감을 지닌다. 'proper poorly'라고 하면 단순히 컨디션이 안 좋은 것보다 더 심각한 상태를 암시한다.

Examples

The baby's been poorly all night.
小家伙这一整周都不舒服
El pequeño lleva toda la semana malito
「小さい子が一週間ずっと具合が悪い」
아기가 밤새 아팠어.
I'm feeling a bit poorly today.
我今天有点不舒服
Hoy no me encuentro muy bien
「今日はちょっと具合が悪い」
오늘 좀 몸이 안 좋아.
She was proper poorly with that flu.
打电话请病假
Llamar al trabajo para decir que estás enfermo
「病欠の電話をする」
그녀가 독감으로 많이 아팠어.

Pronunciation

/ˈpʊəli/

Usage Guide

Context: family, children, sympathy

Tone: sympathetic, nurturing

✓ Do Say

Feeling poorly
感觉不舒服
Me encuentro mal
具合が悪い
몸이 안 좋다
A bit poorly
有点不舒服
Un poco mal
ちょっと調子が悪い
좀 아프다
Proper poorly
很不舒服
Bastante mal
かなり具合が悪い
많이 아프다
The children are poorly
孩子们不舒服
Los niños están malitos
子どもたちが体調を崩している
아이들이 아프다

✗ Don't Say

In American English, 'poorly' is mainly an adverb (did it poorly), not an adjective for illness
在苏格兰和伦敦不太常用
Menos habitual en Escocia y Londres
スコットランドやロンドンではあまり使われない
미국보다 영국에서 더 많이 쓰는 표현

Common Mistakes

British: adjective for ill. American: adverb for 'in a poor manner'
'Proper poorly' means quite ill, not mildly unwell

Origin & History

The word emerged from 'poor' in the sense of being in a bad condition. It became established in British English as a softer alternative to 'ill' or 'sick' during the 19th century. The word carries connotations of sympathy and care, making it particularly suited for children.

Etymology: From 'poor' meaning in bad condition

First recorded: 19th century

Cultural Context

Era: 19th century onwards

Generation: All ages, especially with children

Social background: Universal

Regional notes: Distinctly British usage. Americans say 'sick' or 'not feeling well.'

Variations

PoorlyA bit poorlyProper poorly