poor

Pronunciation

• (AU) IPA ^(key): /pɔə/
• (UK) IPA ^(key): /pʊə/, SAMPA: /pU@/
• (Southern UK) IPA ^(key): /pɔː(r)/, SAMPA: /pO:(r)/
• (US) IPA ^(key): /pʊr/, /pɔr/, SAMPA: /pUr/, /pOr/

• Audio (UK)

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• Audio (US)

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Homophones

• pour (some accents only)
• pore (some accents only)

Adjective

Positive poor

Comparative poorer

Superlative poorest

1. Someone who is poor has little or no money.
   • Synonyms: penniless, broke, needy, destitute, hard-up, poverty-stricken and impoverished
   • Antonyms: rich, wealthy, well-off and well-to-do

   He is very poor.

2. Something that is poor is bad quality.
   • Synonyms: bad, inferior, mediocre, inadequate, weak and low-quality
   • Antonyms: high-quality, superior, excellent, superb and very good

   The painting was a poor job.

3. You use poor before someone's name or a pronoun when you feel bad for that person.
   • Synonyms: unfortunate, deprived, underprivileged and pitiable
   • Antonyms: fortunate, privileged and successful

   Tom is all alone. Poor Tom!

   Oh, poor you! I can't believe that happened.

4. The poor are a group of people who have little or no money.

   This work is to help the poor.

Related words

• poorly
• poverty
• poorness