Poorly Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
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poorly
[ˈpʊərli ]
Definitions
Context #1 | Adverb
used to describe how something is done or how well something is done
In a poor or inadequate manner; not well.
Synonyms
badly, inadequately, inefficiently.
Examples of usage
- The job was poorly done.
- She sang poorly at the concert.
- He managed the company poorly, and it soon went bankrupt.
Translations
To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.
Interesting Facts
Psychology
- Research shows that performing tasks poorly can lead to increased stress levels, particularly in high-pressure environments.
- A fear of doing things poorly often results in procrastination, where individuals avoid taking action to prevent making mistakes.
- Studies indicate that children who are overly criticized for performing poorly may develop low self-esteem and fear of failure.
Education
- In educational settings, students are often encouraged to view mistakes made while doing something poorly as learning opportunities.
- Teachers use the concept of 'poorly executed tasks' to help students identify areas for improvement and celebrate growth.
- Assessment methods may describe student performance as 'poorly' if it falls below established benchmarks, impacting future learning approaches.
Literature
- The term 'poorly' has been used in classical literature to highlight characters' failures or challenges, often leading to personal growth.
- Authors often emphasize a character's poorly chosen actions to create dramatic irony, where the audience knows the implications of the character's mistakes.
- In poetry, describing acts performed poorly can evoke emotions of sympathy or humor, portraying the human experience of imperfection.
Pop Culture
- Reality TV often dramatizes moments where participants perform poorly, creating memorable and entertaining television content.
- Comedy shows use the idea of doing things poorly as a source of humor, where mistakes lead to funny situations.
- 'Poorly drawn' has become a popular term in internet culture to describe art that is intentionally simplistic or exaggerated for comedic effect.
Origin of 'poorly'
Main points about word origin
- The word 'poorly' comes from the Middle English 'porly', which meant 'in a poor condition'.
- It is related to the word 'poor', which originally meant 'lacking resources' but evolved to signify poor quality in various contexts.
- In Old French, the term 'povre' indicated a state of neediness, influencing the modern English usage of 'poorly' related to inadequacy.
The adverb 'poorly' is derived from the adjective 'poor,' which originated from the Old French 'povre,' ultimately tracing back to the Latin 'pauper' meaning 'poor, needy.' Over time, 'poorly' developed to describe actions or conditions that are substandard or inadequate.