1
a
: lacking sufficient money or material possessions
too poor to buy new clothes
b
: of, relating to, or characterized by poverty
a poor nation
2
a
: less than adequate : meager
a poor effort
poor attendance
b
: small in worth
3
: exciting pity
you poor thing
4
a
: inferior in quality or value
had poor language skills
b
6
: barren, unproductive
—used of land
7
: indifferent, unfavorable
had a poor opinion of them
a poor profession
8
: lacking a normal or adequate supply of something specified
—often used in combination
oil-poor countries
poorness
noun
Cite this Entry
“Poor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/poor. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
