feeling poorly

USAGE SUMMARY

"feeling poorly" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe when someone is feeling unwell or under the weather. For example: "John was feeling poorly so he stayed home from work today."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

Interestingly, the majority of students still had high levels of satisfaction despite not being made to feel welcome at the ambulance station, with over half of the students feeling poorly treated by some paramedic staff.

BMC Medical Education

Today I'm feeling poorly, a bit weak.

The Guardian

'Here's Merle, he's been feeling poorly lately.' " "Yeah," Biff said.

The New Yorker

Ms. Nefyodova was feeling poorly and lying in bed when the militants returned.

The New York Times

"No," the Irish bard replied, "my wife has been feeling poorly and disinclined".

The New York Times - Books

Everyone in our family has had flu and I wondered if there were any books about being stuck in bed and feeling poorly?

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

30 human-written examples

His last communication was a tweet on Sunday, in which he admitted: "I'm still feeling very poorly".

The Guardian

I started smiling and everything, and — just before I had gone to bed, I had been down to my friend's next door, and I had asked her if she had any sort of soup, because I was feeling so poorly and I thought I needed soup — this time I went back down and knocked on her door.

The New Yorker

He said he had been feeling "quite poorly all day" but he had wanted to ensure Labour was represented in the debate.

BBC

Why waste a perfectly fabulous day in bed when you are feeling too poorly to enjoy it?

Huffington Post

Besides age, needs were the factors strongly associated with more frequent Internet use, including perception of diagnosis delay (OR 1.72, 95% CI 1.06, 2.78), feeling treated poorly by the healthcare system (OR 2.46, 95% CI 1.15, 5.24), and that the doctor does not listen (OR 3.14, 95% CI 1.42, 6.95).

BMC Pulmonary Medicine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing your state to a healthcare professional, be as precise as possible about your symptoms and avoid overly vague language. Better phrases in medical settings are "experiencing nausea", "running a fever", "having difficulty breathing" and "experiencing chest pain".

Common error

Avoid using "feeling poorly" to describe severe or chronic health issues. It's better suited for minor, temporary ailments. For serious conditions, use more specific and descriptive language or consult a healthcare professional.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "feeling poorly" functions as a descriptive phrase, indicating a subjective experience of being unwell. It's typically used to describe a temporary or mild state of illness. Ludwig AI confirms this is a valid construction.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

32%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

4%

Encyclopedias

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "feeling poorly" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe a mild state of being unwell. Ludwig AI confirms it's a valid phrase. While it appears across various sources, including news, scientific articles, and wikis, it's considered more informal than precise medical terminology. For more formal or medical contexts, consider alternatives like "feeling unwell" or more specific descriptions of symptoms. Be mindful of the context and audience when using this phrase to ensure effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

feeling unwell

A more general term for not being in good health.

not feeling well

A straightforward way to express a lack of well-being.

under the weather

An idiomatic expression for feeling slightly ill.

feeling sick

Indicates a state of nausea or illness.

out of sorts

Suggests a general feeling of discomfort or unease.

not up to par

Implies a decline from one's normal state of health or performance.

ailing

A more formal term for being in poor health.

a bit off-color

A subtle way of indicating that someone appears unwell.

indisposed

A polite way of saying someone is unwell and unable to attend something.

in poor health

Describes a more chronic or serious state of being unwell.

FAQs

What does it mean to say someone is "feeling poorly"?

Saying someone is "feeling poorly" means they are experiencing a mild illness or general discomfort. It's a common way to describe not feeling completely well, but not necessarily being seriously ill.

How can I use "feeling poorly" in a sentence?

You can use "feeling poorly" in a sentence like, "I'm "feeling poorly" today, so I'm going to stay home from work" or "She's been "feeling poorly" all week, so she should see a doctor."

What are some alternatives to saying "feeling poorly"?

Alternatives to "feeling poorly" include "feeling unwell", "under the weather", or "not feeling well". The best choice depends on the specific context and the degree of illness.

Is "feeling poorly" formal or informal language?

"Feeling poorly" is generally considered informal language. It's appropriate for casual conversations and informal writing, but in more formal settings, it's better to use more precise and descriptive language.