poor

USAGE SUMMARY

'poor' is a correct and usable word in written English.
It can be used as an adjective to describe a person or thing that lacks material possessions or has a small amount of something (such as money, resources, or health). For example, "The boy was born into a poor family and struggled to make ends meet."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Poor old Tony Blair.

The Guardian - Travel

Poor fellow.

The Economist

It was poor timing".

The Guardian

Poor show.

The Guardian - Sport

After being married for over 37 years, I showed extremely poor judgment by engaging in an extramarital affair.

The Guardian

Given the huge waste and poor productivity in the public services, there is no a priori reason why these cuts cannot be covered by public spending savings, as Osborne argued.

The Guardian

Last summer the Electoral Commission said 7.5 million eligible voters were not registered, with poor, black and young people least likely to be on the electoral roll.

The Guardian

In recent years, the gap between rich and poor in Kazakhstan has widened, heightening social tensions.

The Guardian

But poor children in Stoke-on-Trent start school two years behind their peers in leafier parts of the country.

The Guardian

The gap between rich and poor has continued to widen.

The Economist

"The data show that not only is there declining trust in government, there is declining trust in other people"; although it wasn't exclusive to them, this shift was "concentrated among these poor kids, the kids who have been left out," Putnam said.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing socioeconomic status, consider using "poor" in conjunction with specific details about the context, such as "poor families" or "poor communities", to provide a clearer understanding of the situation.

Common error

Avoid using "poor" without providing context, as it can lead to misunderstandings. Instead of saying "the poor", specify "poor families", "poor infrastructure", or "poor academic performance" for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The word "poor" primarily functions as an adjective. It is used to describe a state of lacking, whether it pertains to financial resources, quality, or overall condition. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a usable word in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

15%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "poor" is a versatile adjective commonly employed to denote a lack of resources or quality, as validated by Ludwig AI. It sees frequent usage across various contexts, with a strong presence in news and media, formal business settings, and scientific discourse. While generally neutral in register, its meaning can vary based on the context, indicating financial hardship, substandard quality, or unfortunate circumstances. To enhance clarity and prevent misunderstandings, it's advisable to use "poor" with specific qualifiers, as exemplified by the provided sample sentences. Its multiple functions, which Ludwig shows, highlight the word's significance in English language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

impoverished

Focuses on the state of being made poor or reduced to poverty.

needy

Emphasizes the requirement for assistance due to a lack of essential resources.

destitute

Highlights extreme poverty and a complete lack of resources.

penniless

Directly indicates having no money at all.

bad

A general term indicating low quality or inadequacy.

substandard

Refers to something below the expected or required standard.

inferior

Suggests a lower rank or quality compared to something else.

deficient

Indicates a lack of something necessary or essential.

inadequate

Implies that something is not sufficient or good enough for a particular purpose.

unfortunate

Highlights the experience of bad luck or adverse circumstances.

FAQs

How can I use "poor" in a sentence?

You can use "poor" to describe a lack of resources, quality, or fortune. For example, "The country is experiencing "poor economic growth"" or "She comes from a "poor family"".

What are some synonyms for "poor"?

Alternatives include "impoverished", "needy", "destitute", or "bad", depending on the specific context.

Which is correct: "poor" or "the poor"?

"Poor" is an adjective, while "the poor" refers to a group of people. Use "poor" to describe a condition (e.g., "poor quality") and "the poor" to refer to people experiencing poverty (e.g., "programs to help the poor").

What's the difference between "poor" and "poverty-stricken"?

"Poor" is a general term indicating a lack of resources, while "poverty-stricken" emphasizes the severe and damaging effects of poverty. "Poverty-stricken" often implies a more prolonged and dire situation.