How many syllables in “poorly”?
syllables in "poorly"
Word details
Syllables
2
poor · ly
Letters
6
p · o · o · r · l · y
Scrabble
11
points
Scrabble letter values
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About the word “poorly”
The word “poorly” contains 2 syllables, divided as poor · ly. It has 6 letters.
FAQ
How many syllables does "poorly" have?
"poorly" has 2 syllables.
How do you divide "poorly" into syllables?
"poorly" is divided into syllables as: poor · ly.
What is the Scrabble score for "poorly"?
The Scrabble score for "poorly" is 11 points.
Using “poorly” in writing
Two-syllable words like "poorly" (poor · ly) are the building blocks of iambic rhythm — the most common meter in English poetry. If the stress falls on the second syllable (da-DUM), it forms a perfect iamb, ideal for sonnets and iambic pentameter. It also fits neatly into the 5- or 7-syllable lines of a haiku.
In word games
In Scrabble and Words With Friends, “poorly” is worth 11 base points before any board multipliers. A solid mid-range score. Landing a high-value letter on a double letter square will push your total higher.