How do you use "Poorly" in a sentence?

The little one's been poorly all week. I'm feeling a bit poorly today. Call in poorly'—phone in sick to work.

Poorly

Q: What does "Poorly" mean?

Unwell; ill. 'Feeling poorly' means feeling unwell—a very British understatement for illness. 'She's poorly' is gentle and sympathetic. Often used with children or by parents. Less clinical than 'ill' or 'sick.'

Slang Term British ★★★★★ Very 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 (영국식).

'Feeling poorly' means feeling unwell—a very British understatement for illness. 'She's poorly' is gentle and sympathetic. Often used with children or by parents. Less clinical than 'ill' or 'sick.'

「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。

'Feeling poorly'는 몸이 안 좋다는 뜻이다. 'She's poorly'는 그녀가 아프다는 의미이다. 미국보다 영국에서 더 흔히 쓰이며, 아프다는 것을 부드럽게 표현하는 말이다.

Examples

The little one's been poorly all week.
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」
몸이 좀 안 좋아.
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」
그녀가 일주일 내내 아팠어.
Call in poorly'—phone in sick to work.
打电话请病假
Llamar al trabajo para decir que estás enfermo
「病欠の電話をする」
강아지가 좀 아파.

Pronunciation

/ˈpʊəli/

Usage Guide

Context: illness, children, sympathy

Tone: gentle, sympathetic, understated

✓ Do Say

Feeling poorly
不太舒服
encontrarse mal
体調が悪い
몸이 안 좋다
A bit poorly
有点不舒服
un poco pachucho
ちょっと具合が悪い
좀 아프다
Poorly child
生病的孩子
niño malito
具合の悪い子
많이 아프다

✗ Don't Say

Less common in Scotland and London
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

Not 'poor' (lacking money)—'poorly' means unwell

Origin & History

From 'poor' in the sense of inadequate health. British dialectal usage that became standard. Particularly common in northern England and the Midlands.

Etymology: Poor (inadequate) + -ly = in poor health

First recorded: British dialect, 18th century

Cultural Context

Era: 18th century onwards

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal

Pop culture: British understatement

Regional notes: Common throughout England, especially North and Midlands.

Variations

PoorlyFeeling poorlyA bit poorly