worst

UK: /ˈwɜː^rst/ US: /wɝst/ ,(wûrst)

From bad (adj):

worse

adj comparative

worst

adj superlative

From badly (adv):

worse

adv comparative

worst

adv superlative

From ill (adv):

worse

adv comparative

worst

adv comparative

From ill (adj):

worse

adj comparative

worst

adj superlative

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

worst /wɜrst/   adj., superlative of bad and ill.

1. bad or ill in the most extreme degree;
   most faulty or unsatisfactory:
   the worst job I've ever seen.
2. most unpleasant, unattractive, or disagreeable.
3. least efficient or skilled:
   The worst drivers in the country come from that state.

n. [uncountable* usually: the + ~]

4. something that is worst:
   Prepare for the worst.

adv. 

5. in the worst manner.
6. in the greatest degree.

v. [~ + object]

7. to defeat;
   beat.

Idioms

8. Idioms at (the) worst, under the worst conditions.
9. Idioms if worst comes to worst, if the very worst happens.
10. Idioms in the worst way, very much;
    extremely:
    He needs praise in the worst way.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

worst  (wûrst), adj., [superlative of] bad [and] ill. 

1. bad or ill in the highest, greatest, or most extreme degree:
   the worst person.
2. most faulty, unsatisfactory, or objectionable:
   the worst paper submitted.
3. most unfavorable or injurious.
4. in the poorest condition:
   the worst house on the block.
5. most unpleasant, unattractive, or disagreeable:
   the worst personality I've ever known.
6. most lacking in skill;
   least skilled:
   the worst typist in the group.
7. Informal Terms in the worst way, in an extreme degree;
   very much:
   She wanted a new robe for Christmas in the worst way.
   Also, the worst way. 

n. 

8. that which is worst.
9. at worst, if the worst happens;
   under the worst conditions:
   He will be expelled from school, at worst.
   Also, at the worst. 
10. get the worst of something, to be defeated by;
    lose:
    to get the worst of a fight.
11. if worst comes to worst, if the very worst happens:
    If worst comes to worst, we still have some money in reserve.

adv. 

12. in the most evil, wicked, severe, or disadvantageous manner.
13. with the most severity, intensity, etc.;
    in the greatest degree.

v.t. 

14. to defeat;
    beat:
    He worsted him easily.

• bef. 900; Middle English worste (adjective, adjectival, adverb, adverbial, and noun, nominal), Old English wur(re)sta, wyr(re)st, wer(re)sta (adjective, adjectival and adverb, adverbial); cognate with Old Norse verstr; see worse, -est¹

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

worst / wɜːst/ adjective

1. the superlative of bad1

adverb

1. in the most extreme or bad manner or degree
2. least well, suitably, or acceptably
3. (in combination) in or to the smallest degree or extent; least: worst-loved

noun

1. the worst ⇒ the least good or most inferior person, thing, or part in a group, narrative, etc
2. (often preceded by at) the most poor, unpleasant, or unskilled quality or condition: television is at its worst these days
3. the greatest amount of damage or wickedness of which a person or group is capable: the invaders came and did their worst
4. the weakest effort or poorest achievement that a person or group is capable of making: the applicant did his worst at the test because he did not want the job
5. the worst ⇒ in the least favourable interpretation or view
6. under the least favourable conditions
7. if the worst comes to the worst ⇒ if all the more desirable alternatives become impossible or if the worst possible thing happens
8. come off worst, get the worst of it ⇒ to enjoy the least benefit from an issue or be defeated in it

verb

1. (transitive) to get the advantage over; defeat or beat

Etymology: Old English wierrest; related to Old Frisian wersta, Old Saxon, Old High German wirsisto, Old Norse verstr

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

bad¹ /bæd/   adj., worse/wɜrs/  worst /wɜrst/ ;
(Slang  ) bad•der, bad•dest for 16;
n., adv. 
adj. 

1. not good in any manner or degree:
   bad traffic.
2. wicked or evil in character:
   the bad witch.
3. of low or inferior quality;
   deficient:
   bad roads.
4. disobedient or naughty:
   She was a very bad girl today.
5. inaccurate;
   incorrect:
   a bad guess.
6. causing injury or harm:
   Sugar is bad for the teeth.
7. suffering from sickness, pain, or injury:
   He was so bad yesterday that he stayed in bed.
8. diseased, decayed, or weakened:
   a bad heart.
9. spoiled or rotten:
   The milk has gone bad.
10. disagreeable;
    unpleasant:
    bad dreams.
11. severe;
    intense:
    a bad flood.
12. regretful, sorry, sad, or upset:
    He felt bad about leaving.
13. showing or having a lack of skill or ability:
    What a bad actor!
    [ be + ~ + at]:
    I was really bad at drawing.
14. unfortunate or unfavorable:
    bad news.
15. [before a noun] (of a debt) unlikely to be paid and so treated as a loss:
    bad loans.
16. Slang Terms Slang. outstandingly good;
    first-rate:
    He is one bad drummer.

n. [uncountable]

17. something that is bad:
    to take the bad with the good.

adv. 

18. [Informal.] badly:
    She wanted it bad enough to steal it.

Idioms

19. Idioms badly or bad off, poor;
    destitute:
    They were badly off during the Depression.
20. Idioms in a bad way, in severe trouble or distress:
    She's in a bad way now.
21. Idioms not (half, so, or too) bad, somewhat good;
    tolerable:
    not half bad for a first effort.
22. Idioms too bad:
    • (used to express regret or disappointment):
      You didn't pass? Oh, that's too bad.
    • (used to express impatience or lack of concern ):
      You don't like it here? Too bad.

bad•ness, n. [uncountable]
Usage

You can use the adjective bad, meaning "unpleasant, unattractive, unfavorable, spoiled, etc.,'' after such verbs as sound, smell, look, and taste: The music sounds bad.The locker room smells bad. You look pretty bad; are you sick? After the rainstorm the water tasted bad. After the verb feel, you can also use the adjective badly when describing physical or emotional states: She was feeling badly that day. That use is considered standard, although bad is more common in formal writing. bad as an adverb appears mainly in informal situations: He wanted it pretty bad. See also badly, good.

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

bad•ly /ˈbædli/   adv., worse/wɜrs/  worst /wɜrst/   adj. 

adv. 

1. in a bad way;
   incorrectly, inadequately, or unfavorably:
   speaks French badly; a marriage that turned out badly.
2. in a wicked, evil, or morally wrong way.
3. in a naughty or socially wrong way:
   behaved badly in front of the guests.
4. to a great extent or degree;
   very much:
   wants the job badly.
5. very unpleasantly;
   severely: was injured badly during the shootout.
6. with great distress or emotional display:
   took the news badly.

adj. 

7. in ill health;
   sick:
   He felt badly and had a high fever.
8. sorry;
   regretful:
   I feel badly about your loss.

Idioms

9. Idioms badly off, [ be + ~]
   • in need of:
     We are quite badly off for money.
   • not having much money;
     poor.

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

ill /ɪl/   adj., worse/wɜrs/  worst /wɜrst/   n., adv. 

adj. 

1. Pathology sick;
   unwell;
   of poor health:
   [be + ~] She's ill and won't be in today.
2. hostile;
   unkind:
   [before a noun] ill feeling.
3. evil;
   wicked:
   [before a noun] ill deeds.
4. unfavorable:
   [before a noun] ill fortune.

n. 

5. an unfavorable opinion or statement:
   [uncountable] I can speak no ill of her.
6. harm or injury:
   [uncountable] His remarks did much ill.
7. trouble;
   misfortune:
   [countable] Many ills befell him.

adv. 

8. unsatisfactorily;
   poorly;
   badly:
   It ill befits a person to betray friends.
9. faultily;
   improperly:
   an ill-constructed house.
10. with difficulty or inconvenience:
    an expense we can ill afford.
11. The word ill can be used in combination with other adjectives or participles to mean "badly, improperly;
    inadequately:''
    ill- + considered → ill-considered (= not thought out well in advance;
    inappropriate);
    ill- + defined → ill-defined (= not well defined or clearly set out).

Idioms

12. Idioms ill at ease, uncomfortable;
    uneasy:
    When I first arrived at the party I felt very ill at ease because I didn't know anyone.
13. speak ill of, [~ + object] to say unfriendly or unpleasant things about:
    unwise to speak ill of the dead.

Related Words

ill is an adjective, illness is a noun: He was feeling ill. He had a strange illness.

I'll /aɪl/  

1. Pronouns contraction of I will;
   I shall.

Ill.,  an abbreviation of:

1. Place Names Illinois.

ill.,  an abbreviation of:

1. illustrated.
2. illustration.
3. illustrator.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

bad¹  (bad), adj., worse, worst;
 (Slang) bad•der, bad•dest for 36;
n.;
adv. 
adj. 

1. not good in any manner or degree.
2. having a wicked or evil character;
   morally reprehensible:
   There is no such thing as a bad boy.
3. of poor or inferior quality;
   defective;
   deficient:
   a bad diamond; a bad spark plug.
4. inadequate or below standard;
   not satisfactory for use:
   bad heating; Living conditions in some areas are very bad.
5. inaccurate, incorrect, or faulty:
   a bad guess.
6. invalid, unsound, or false:
   a bad insurance claim; bad judgment.
7. causing or liable to cause sickness or ill health;
   injurious or harmful:
   Too much sugar is bad for your teeth.
8. suffering from sickness, ill health, pain, or injury;
   sick;
   ill:
   He felt bad from eating the green apples.
9. not healthy or in good physical condition;
   diseased, decayed, or physically weakened:
   A bad heart kept him out of the army.
10. tainted, spoiled, or rotten, esp. to the point of being inedible:
    The meat is bad because you left it out of the refrigerator too long.
11. having a disastrous or detrimental effect, result, or tendency;
    unfavorable:
    The drought is bad for the farmers. His sloppy appearance made a bad impression.
12. causing or characterized by discomfort, inconvenience, uneasiness, or annoyance;
    disagreeable;
    unpleasant:
    I had a bad flight to Chicago.
13. easily provoked to anger;
    irascible:
    a bad temper.
14. cross, irritable, or surly:
    If I don't have my morning coffee, I'm in a bad mood all day.
15. more uncomfortable, persistent, painful, or dangerous than usual;
    severe:
    a bad attack of asthma.
16. causing or resulting in disaster or severe damage or destruction:
    a bad flood.
17. regretful, contrite, dejected, or upset:
    He felt bad about having to leave the children all alone.
18. disobedient, naughty, or misbehaving:
    If you're bad at school, you'll go to bed without supper.
19. disreputable or dishonorable:
    He's getting a bad name from changing jobs so often.
20. displaying a lack of skill, talent, proficiency, or judgment:
    a bad painting; Bad drivers cause most of the accidents.
21. causing distress;
    unfortunate or unfavorable:
    I'm afraid I have bad news for you.
22. not suitable or appropriate;
    disadvantageous or dangerous:
    It was a bad day for fishing.
23. inclement;
    considered too stormy, hot, cold, etc.:
    We had a bad winter with a lot of snow.
24. disagreeable or offensive to the senses:
    a bad odor.
25. exhibiting a lack of artistic sensitivity:
    The room was decorated in bad taste.
26. not in keeping with a standard of behavior or conduct;
    coarse:
    bad manners.
27. Linguistics (of a word, speech, or writing)
    • vulgar, obscene, or blasphemous:
      bad language.
    • not properly observing rules or customs of grammar, usage, spelling, etc.;
      incorrect:
      He speaks bad English.
28. unattractive, esp. because of a lack of pleasing proportions:
    She has a bad figure.
29. (of the complexion) marred by defects;
    pockmarked or pimply;
    blemished:
    bad skin.
30. not profitable or worth the price paid:
    The land was a bad buy.
31. Communications, Business deemed uncollectible or irrecoverable and treated as a loss:
    a bad debt.
32. ill-spent;
    wasted:
    Don't throw good money after bad money.
33. counterfeit;
    not genuine:
    There was a bad ten-dollar bill in with the change.
34. having the character of a villain;
    villainous:
    In the movies the good guys always beat the bad guys.
35. Sport failing to land within the in-bounds limits of a court or section of a court;
    missing the mark;
    not well aimed.
36. Slang Terms outstandingly excellent;
    first-rate:
    He's a bad man on drums, and the fans love him.
37. Idioms in a bad way, in severe trouble or distress.
38. Idioms not bad:
    • tolerably good;
      not without merit:
      The dinner wasn't bad, but I've had better.
    • not difficult:
      Once you know geometry, trigonometry isn't bad.
      Also, not so bad, not too bad. 
39. Idioms too bad, unfortunate or disappointing:
    It's too bad that he didn't go to college.

n. 

40. that which is bad:
    You have to take the bad with the good.
41. a bad condition, character, or quality:
    His health seemed to go from bad to worse.
42. (used with a pl. v.) evil persons collectively (usually prec. by the):
    The bad are always stirring up trouble.
43. Idioms go to the bad, to deteriorate physically or morally;
    go to ruin:
    She wept at seeing her son go to the bad.
44. in bad, [Informal.]
    • in trouble or distress.
    • in disfavor:
      He's in bad with his father-in-law.
45. Idioms to the bad, in arrears:
    He's $100 to the bad on his debt.

adv. Informal. 

46. badly:
    He wanted it bad enough to steal it.
47. Idioms bad off, in poor or distressed condition or circumstances;
    destitute:
    His family has been pretty bad off since he lost his job.
    Also, badly off. Cf. well-off.

• Middle English badde, perh. akin to Old English bæddel hermaphrodite, bædling womanish man 1250–1300

bad′ness, n. 
Synonyms

• 2. depraved, corrupt, base, sinful, criminal, atrocious.
  Bad, evil, ill, wicked are closest in meaning in reference to that which is lacking in moral qualities or is actually vicious and reprehensible.
  Bad is the broadest and simplest term:
  a bad man; bad habits.
  Evil applies to that which violates or leads to the violation of moral law:
  evil practices.
  Ill now appears mainly in certain fixed expressions, with a milder implication than that in evil:
  ill will; ill-natured.
  Wicked implies willful and determined doing of what is very wrong:
  a wicked plan.
• 10. putrefied.
• 21. adverse, unlucky, unhappy.

Usage

The adjective bad meaning "unpleasant, unattractive, unfavorable, spoiled, etc.,'' is the usual form to follow such copulative verbs as sound, smell, look, and taste: After the rainstorm the water tasted bad. The coach says the locker room smells bad. After the copulative verb feel, the adjective badly in reference to physical or emotional states is also used and is standard, although bad is more common in formal writing:
I feel bad from overeating.
She felt badly about her friend's misfortune.
When the adverbial use is required, badly is standard with all verbs:
She reacted badly to the criticism.
Bad as an adverb appears mainly in informal contexts:
I didn't do too bad on the tests.
He wants money so bad it hurts.
See also badly, good. 

bad²  (bad), v. [Archaic.]

1. a pt. of bid. 

bad,¹ +n. 

1. my bad, My fault! My mistake!

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

bad•ly  (bad′lē), adv., worse, worst, adj. 
adv. 

1. in a defective, incorrect, or undesirable way:
   The car runs badly.
2. in an unsatisfactory, inadequate, or unskilled manner:
   a vague, badly written letter; He paints badly.
3. unfavorably:
   His neighbors spoke badly of him. The weather turned out badly for the cruise.
4. in a wicked, evil, or morally or legally wrong way.
5. in a disobedient, naughty, or ethically or socially wrong way:
   He treats his parents badly.
6. very much;
   to a great extent or degree:
   a house badly in need of repair; to want something badly.
7. severely;
   direly:
   to be injured badly.
8. with great distress, resentment, regret, or emotional display:
   She took the news of her mother's death badly.
9. Idioms badly off. See bad (def. 47).

adj. 

10. in ill health;
    sick:
    He felt badly.
11. sorry;
    regretful:
    I feel badly about your reaction to my remark.
12. dejected;
    downcast.

• Middle English baddeli. See bad¹, -ly 1350–1400

Usage

In the sense "very much,'' badly is fully standard:
He needs help badly.
See also bad. 

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

ill  (il), adj., worse, worst, n., adv. 
adj. 

1. Pathology of unsound physical or mental health;
   unwell;
   sick:
   She felt ill, so her teacher sent her to the nurse.
2. objectionable;
   unsatisfactory;
   poor;
   faulty:
   ill manners.
3. hostile;
   unkindly:
   ill feeling.
4. evil;
   wicked;
   bad:
   of ill repute.
5. unfavorable;
   adverse:
   ill fortune.
6. of inferior worth or ability;
   unskillful;
   inexpert:
   an ill example of scholarship.
7. Idioms ill at ease, socially uncomfortable;
   nervous:
   They were ill at ease because they didn't speak the language.

n. 

8. an unfavorable opinion or statement:
   I can speak no ill of her.
9. harm or injury:
   His remarks did much ill.
10. trouble, distress, or misfortune:
    Many ills befell him.
11. evil:
    to know the difference between good and ill.
12. Pathology sickness or disease.

adv. 

13. in an ill manner.
14. unsatisfactorily;
    poorly:
    It ill befits a man to betray old friends.
15. in a hostile or unfriendly manner.
16. unfavorably;
    unfortunately.
17. with displeasure or offense.
18. faultily;
    improperly.
19. with difficulty or inconvenience;
    scarcely:
    Buying a new car is an expense we can ill afford.

• Old Norse illr (adjective, adjectival) ill, bad
• Middle English ill(e) (noun, nominal and adjective, adjectival) 1150–1200

Synonyms

• 1. unhealthy, ailing, diseased, afflicted.
  Ill, sick mean being in bad health, not being well.
  Ill is the more formal word. In the U.S. the two words are used practically interchangeably except that sick is always used when the word modifies the following noun:
  He looks sick
  (ill); a sick person. In England,
  sick is not interchangeable with ill, but usually has the connotation of nauseous:
  She got sick and threw up.
  sick, however, is used before nouns just as in the U.S.:
  a sick man.
• 4. wrong, iniquitous. See bad ¹.
• 9. hurt, pain, affliction, misery.
• 10. calamity.
• 11. depravity.
• 12. illness, affliction.
• 14. badly.

Antonyms

• 1. well, healthy.
• 4. good.

I'll  (īl), 

1. Pronouns contraction of I will.

Usage

See contraction. 

Ill., 

1. Place Names Illinois.

ill., 

1. illustrated.
2. illustration.
3. illustrator.
4. most illustrious.
• Latin illustrissimus
• (def. 4)

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

bad / bæd/ adjective (worse, worst)

1. not good; of poor quality; inadequate; inferior
2. (often followed by at) lacking skill or talent; incompetent: a bad painter, bad at sports
3. (often followed by for) harmful
4. immoral; evil
5. naughty; mischievous; disobedient
6. rotten; decayed; spoiled: a bad egg
7. severe; intense: a bad headache
8. incorrect; wrong; faulty: bad pronunciation
9. ill or in pain (esp in the phrase feel bad)
10. regretful, sorry, or upset (esp in the phrase feel bad about)
11. unfavourable; distressing: bad news, a bad business
12. offensive; unpleasant; disagreeable: bad language, bad temper
13. not valid or sound; void: a bad cheque
14. not recoverable: a bad debt
15. (badder, baddest) good; excellent
16. go bad ⇒ to putrefy; spoil
17. go from bad to worse ⇒ to deteriorate even more
18. in a bad way ⇒ seriously ill, through sickness or injury
19. in trouble of any kind
20. in someone's bad books ⇒
    See book21
21. make the best of a bad job ⇒ to manage as well as possible in unfavourable circumstances
22. not bad, not so bad ⇒ passable; fair; fairly good
23. too bad ⇒ (often used dismissively) regrettable

noun

1. unfortunate or unpleasant events collectively (often in the phrase take the bad with the good)
2. an immoral or degenerate state (often in the phrase go to the bad)
3. the debit side of an account: £200 to the bad

adverb

1. badly: to want something bad

Etymology: 13th Century: probably from bæd-, as the first element of Old English bǣddel hermaphrodite

ˈbaddish adjective

ˈbadness noun

bad / bæd/ verb

1. a variant of bade

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

badly / ˈbædlɪ/ adverb (worse, worst)

1. poorly; defectively; inadequately
2. unfavourably; unsuccessfully; unfortunately: our scheme worked out badly
3. severely; gravely: he was badly hurt
4. incorrectly or inaccurately: to speak German badly
5. improperly; naughtily; wickedly: to behave badly
6. without humanity; cruelly: to treat someone badly
7. very much (esp in the phrases need badly, badly in need of, want badly)
8. regretfully: he felt badly about it
9. badly off ⇒ poor; impoverished

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

ill / ɪl/ adjective (worse, worst)

1. (usually postpositive) not in good health; sick
2. characterized by or intending evil, harm, etc; hostile: ill deeds
3. causing or resulting in pain, harm, adversity, etc
4. ascribing or imputing evil to something referred to: ill repute
5. promising an unfavourable outcome; unpropitious: an ill omen
6. harsh; lacking kindness: ill will
7. not up to an acceptable standard; faulty: ill manners
8. ill at ease ⇒ unable to relax; uncomfortable

noun

1. evil or harm
2. a mild disease
3. misfortune; trouble

adverb

1. badly: the title ill befits him
2. with difficulty; hardly: he can ill afford the money
3. not rightly: she ill deserves such good fortune

Etymology: 11th Century (in the sense: evil): from Old Norse illr bad