worse
Formsworses, worsing, worsed
- 1Comparative of bad. Use this when one thing is more bad than another.
The traffic was worse than usual this morning.
Her cold got worse over the weekend.
Note
- 2Comparative of badly. Use this to say something is done more badly than before.
The team played worse in the second half.
He sang worse than he did at practice.
Note
- 3In a more serious or more severe way.
The pain got worse after he stood up.
Her ankle hurt worse the next morning.
- 4In a way that shows less skill than before.
He plays the guitar worse than his sister.
She danced worse than she had at the audition.
Oppositebetter
- 5The less good of two things or choices.
The weather took a turn for the worse.
Between the two plans, this was the worse.
Oppositebetter
Note
- 6Used to begin a sentence that adds something more bad than what was said before.
The car broke down, and worse, we had no phone.
He lost his keys, and worse, it started to rain.
Note
Less common meanings
- 7To defeat someone or put them at a disadvantage.
He swore to worse his rivals before the year was out.
Weapons more violent, when next we meet, / May serve to better us and worse our foes.
1667, John Milton, Paradise LostHere, worse means defeat or put at a disadvantage.Note
- 8A loss, defeat, or disadvantage.
The army suffered the worse in that long campaign.
Judah was put to the worse before Israel.
1611, The Holy Bible, King James VersionHere, the worse means a defeat, so Judah lost to Israel.Note
Showing meanings only.
worse is a form of badly
badly, adverb: In a way that is not good or not done well. Full entry
- Spelling
- badly → worse: irregular
Practice
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Origin
From Old English "wiersa," going back through early Germanic roots.