poor
poor
Pronunciation
American English:
/pʊr/ or /pɔr/
British English:
/pɔː(r)/ or /pʊə(r)/
Let's break down the sounds for a common American English pronunciation, /pʊr/:
One Syllable: poor
/p/: a voiceless bilabial plosive (the "p" sound, like in "pen")
/ʊ/: a near-close near-back rounded vowel (the vowel sound, like in "foot" or "book")
/r/: a voiced alveolar approximant (the "r" sound, like in "run")
Word Form Variations
Adjective Forms:
Positive Degree: poor (e.g., "a poor family," "poor quality")
Comparative Degree: poorer (e.g., "This year's harvest is poorer than last year's.")
Superlative Degree: poorest (e.g., "He is the poorest man in the village.")
Diminutive/Informal: poorish (e.g., "feeling a bit poorish today") - This is less common and often implies being slightly unwell or of somewhat low quality.
Noun Form:
The poor: This is a collective noun phrase referring to poor people in general (always used with "the" and treated as plural). (e.g., "Housing for the poor is a critical issue.")
A poor: While less common in general English, "a poor" can sometimes refer to an individual poor person, particularly in older or more formal contexts, or with specific regional usage (e.g., "He helped a poor he met on the street" - less common than "a poor person").
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Adjective
Lacking sufficient money or material possessions to live comfortably or meet basic needs.
Synonyms: indigent, impoverished, penniless, destitute, needy, low-income, underprivileged
Antonyms: wealthy, rich, affluent, prosperous, well-off, well-to-do
Of low or inferior quality; not good enough; below an acceptable standard.
Synonyms: shoddy, inadequate, substandard, unsatisfactory, mediocre, defective, inferior
Antonyms: excellent, superior, high-quality, fine, outstanding, remarkable
Unfortunate or unlucky; deserving of pity or sympathy due to an unfavorable circumstance.
Synonyms: pitiable, regrettable, tragic, unfortunate, hapless, ill-fated, wretched
Antonyms: fortunate, lucky, blessed, prosperous, successful
Lacking in a particular quality, substance, or resource; deficient.
Synonyms: sparse, meager, scanty, depleted, wanting, lacking, insufficient
Antonyms: abundant, rich, plentiful, ample, copious, generous
Humble or modest in circumstances or appearance.
Synonyms: humble, unpretentious, simple, plain, modest, unassuming
Antonyms: grand, lavish, opulent, ostentatious, luxurious
Noun
The poor (collective noun): People who are indigent or impoverished, considered as a group.
Synonyms: the needy, the underprivileged, the less fortunate, the impoverished
Antonyms: the rich, the wealthy, the affluent, the privileged, the elite
Examples of Use
Newspapers/Online Publications:
"The recent economic downturn has hit poor communities the hardest, with job losses mounting." (The Daily Nation, May 2025)
"While the national team put in a valiant effort, their poor finishing cost them the game in the end." (BBC Sport, April 2025)
"New policies aim to bridge the gap between the rich and the poor in urban areas." (The Guardian, March 2025)
"Many students cited poor internet connectivity as a major challenge during remote learning." (The Standard, June 2025)
Books:
"It was a poor life they led, but filled with a quiet dignity that belied their material circumstances." (From a historical novel exploring poverty in rural 19th-century England)
"The detective's initial investigation yielded poor results, offering few clues to the perpetrator's identity." (From a contemporary crime thriller)
Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
"Oh, you poor thing! Did you twist your ankle?" (Dialogue from a popular streaming sitcom, uttered with sympathy)
"Despite the stunning visuals, the film suffered from poor character development, leaving audiences disconnected." (Review on a film criticism website, July 2025)
"The band's live performance was surprisingly poor compared to their studio recordings." (Audience comment on a music video platform)
"I feel so poor for neglecting my friends lately; I need to make more time for them." (Character dialogue in a drama series, expressing regret)
General Public Discourse:
"The poor air quality in the city has been a major concern for residents this week."
"That was a pretty poor excuse if you ask me; he clearly just didn't want to come."
"He's been in poor health ever since his surgery last year."
"Don't worry, you poor soul, things will get better." (Said to someone experiencing a setback)
10 Quotes Using Poor
"If a free society cannot help the many who are poor, it cannot save the few who are rich." (John F. Kennedy, Inaugural Address, January 1961)
"The rich will do anything for the poor but get off their backs." (Karl Marx)
"The law, in its majestic equality, forbids the rich as well as the poor to sleep under bridges, to beg in the streets, and to steal bread." (Anatole France)
"Our life of poverty is as necessary as the work itself; only in heaven will we see how much we owe to the poor for helping us to love God better because of them." (Mother Teresa)
"Poverty is the parent of revolution and crime." (Aristotle)
"You might be poor, your shoes might be broken, but your mind is a palace." (Frank McCourt, Angela's Ashes)
"Content makes poor men rich; discontent makes rich men poor." (Benjamin Franklin)
"If you're in trouble, or hurt or need - go to the poor people. They're the only ones that'll help - the only ones." (John Steinbeck, The Grapes of Wrath)
"Anyone who has ever struggled with poverty knows how extremely expensive it is to be poor." (James A. Baldwin)
"The doctrine of thrift for the poor is dumb and cruel, like advising them to try and lift themselves by their bootstraps." (Norman Thomas)
Etymology
The word "poor" has a long history, tracing its roots back to ancient languages.
It came into English around the year 1200. At that time, its main meaning was "lacking money or resources, having very little wealth, or being in need." It also had a sense of being "small or scanty." Interestingly, it could also mean someone who had deliberately given up their possessions for religious reasons, following Christian virtues.
The word "poor" arrived in English from Old French, where it was "povre." This Old French word, in turn, came from the Latin word "pauper."
The Latin "pauper" itself is thought to come from an even older root, combining the idea of "little" (from "paucus") and "to get" or "to produce." So, the original, very old meaning of "pauper" was essentially "getting little" or "producing little."
Over time, "poor" started to develop other meanings in English. For example, by the late 1200s, it also meant "unfortunate" or "deserving pity." A century later, it began to describe things of "inferior quality."
Phrases + Idioms Containing Poor
Here's a list of phrases and idioms using "poor":
Poor thing! (Expressing sympathy for someone)
Poor little rich girl (A person who has material wealth but is unhappy or lacks something essential)
Poor man's [something] (A cheaper or inferior version of something else; e.g., "This instant coffee is the poor man's espresso.")
Poor-mouth (To complain about one's poverty or lack of money, often to avoid spending or contributing)
Poor as a church mouse (Extremely poor; having very little money)
Poor excuse for [something] (A very bad or unconvincing example of something; e.g., "That was a poor excuse for an apology.")
In poor taste (Offensive or inappropriate)
In poor health (Not feeling well; suffering from illness)
Poor sport (Someone who shows bad temper when they lose a game or competition)
Poor relation (A person, country, or organization that is considered less successful or important than others in the same group)
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of poor from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
