WORST


Meaning of WORST in English

I. ˈwərst adjective, superlative of bad or of ill

Etymology: Middle English werste, worste, from Old English wierresta, wyrsta, superlative of the root of Old English wiersa worse

Date: before 12th century

1. : most corrupt, bad, evil, or ill

his worst fault

2.

a. : most unfavorable, difficult, unpleasant, or painful

the worst news

your worst enemy

b. : most unsuitable, faulty, unattractive, or ill-conceived

has the worst table manners

c. : least skillful or efficient

the worst person for the job

3. : most wanting in quality, value, or condition

the worst results

- the worst way

II. adverb, superlative of ill or illy or of bad or badly

Date: before 12th century

1. : to the extreme degree of badness or inferiority

the worst dressed person

2. : to the greatest or highest degree

groups who need the subsidies worst lose out — T. W. Arnold

III. noun

( plural worst )

Date: 13th century

: one that is worst

- at worst

IV. transitive verb

Date: 1636

: to get the better of : defeat

Merriam-Webster's Collegiate English vocabulary.      Энциклопедический словарь английского языка Merriam Webster.