Poorer
/ˈpʊərər/
Definitions
2 meaningsHaving less money or fewer resources compared to someone else or a previously-stated state.
/ˈpʊərər/
Having less money or fewer resources than others.
The students from that school are poorer than the students from this school.
💡 Simply: Imagine you have two friends. One has a big toy collection, and the other only has a few toys. The friend with fewer toys is poorer in toys.
👶 For kids: If you have less toys or money than someone else, you're poorer.
More Examples
After losing his job, he became poorer.
The city is now poorer than it was five years ago due to the economic downturn.
How It's Used
"The poorer countries struggled with the economic crisis."
"She came from a poorer background than her classmates."
Of a lower quality or standard than something else.
/ˈpʊərər/
Lower in quality.
The second attempt was poorer than the first.
💡 Simply: Imagine you get two ice cream cones. One tastes amazing, the other is bland. The bland one is 'poorer' in flavor.
👶 For kids: If something isn't as good as it could be, it's poorer.
More Examples
The food at the diner was noticeably poorer than the food at the restaurant across the street.
After the redesign, the website's user experience was poorer than before.
How It's Used
"The second draft was poorer than the first."
"Due to supply chain issues, they were forced to use poorer quality materials."
From Middle English *poverer*, comparative of *povre* ('poor'), from Old French *povre*, from Latin *pauper* ('poor').
The comparative form 'poorer' has been in consistent use since the Middle English period to indicate comparative states of financial standing or quality.
Memory tip
Think of the person who has less money, they are 'poorer'.