(worse, worst)
Frequency: The word is one of the 700 most common words in English.
1.
Something that is ~ is unpleasant, harmful, or undesirable.
The ~ weather conditions prevented the plane from landing...
We have been going through a ~ time...
I’ve had a ~ day at work...
Divorce is ~ for children...
Analysts fear the situation is even worse than the leadership admits.
? good
ADJ
2.
You use ~ to indicate that something unpleasant or undesirable is severe or great in degree.
He had a ~ accident two years ago and had to give up farming...
This was a ~ case of dangerous driving...
The pain is often so ~ she wants to scream...
The floods are described as the worst in nearly fifty years.
ADJ
3.
A ~ idea, decision, or method is not sensible or not correct.
Economist Jeffrey Faux says a tax cut is a ~ idea...
Of course politicians will sometimes make ~ decisions...
That’s not a ~ way to proceed, just somewhat different...
The worst thing you can do is underestimate an opponent.
= poor
? good
ADJ: usu ADJ n
4.
If you describe a piece of news, an action, or a sign as ~, you mean that it is unlikely to result in benefit or success.
The closure of the project is ~ news for her staff...
It was a ~ start in my relationship with Warr...
The report couldn’t have come at a worse time for the European Commission.
? good
ADJ: usu ADJ n
5.
Something that is ~ is of an unacceptably low standard, quality, or amount.
Many old people in Britain are living in ~ housing...
The state schools’ main problem is that teachers’ pay is so ~...
It was absolutely the worst food I have ever had.
= poor
? good
ADJ
6.
Someone who is ~ at doing something is not skilful or successful at it.
He had increased Britain’s reputation for being ~ at languages...
He was a ~ driver...
Rose was a poor cook and a worse mother.
= poor
? good
ADJ: v-link ADJ at -ing/n, ADJ n
7.
If you say that it is ~ that something happens, you mean it is unacceptable, unfortunate, or wrong.
Not being able to hear doesn’t seem as ~ as not being able to see...
You need at least ten pounds if you go to the cinema nowadays–it’s really ~.
? good
ADJ: v-link ADJ, oft it v-link ADJ that
8.
You can say that something is not ~ to mean that it is quite good or acceptable, especially when you are rather surprised about this.
‘How much is he paying you?’—‘Oh, five thousand.’—‘Not ~.’...
‘How are you, mate?’—‘Not ~, mate, how’s yourself?’...
He’s not a ~ chap–quite human for an accountant...
That’s not a ~ idea.
ADJ: with neg
9.
A ~ person has morally unacceptable attitudes and behaviour.
I was selling drugs, but I didn’t think I was a ~ person...
He does not think that his beliefs make him any worse than any other man.
= wicked
? good
ADJ
~ness
They only recognise ~ness when they perceive it in others.
N-UNCOUNT
10.
A ~ child disobeys rules and instructions or does not behave in a polite and correct way.
You are a ~ boy for repeating what I told you...
Many parents find it hard to discourage ~ behaviour.
= naughty
ADJ
11.
If you are in a ~ mood, you are angry and behave unpleasantly to people.
She is in a bit of a ~ mood because she’s just given up smoking.
ADJ: usu ADJ n
12.
If you feel ~ about something, you feel rather sorry or guilty about it.
You don’t have to feel ~ about relaxing...
I feel ~ that he’s doing most of the work...
Are you trying to make me feel ~?
? good
ADJ: feel ADJ, oft ADJ about n, ADJ that
13.
If you have a ~ back, heart, leg, or eye, it is injured, diseased, or weak.
Alastair has a ~ back so we have a hard bed.
ADJ: usu ADJ n
14.
Food that has gone ~ is not suitable to eat because it has started to decay.
They bought so much beef that some went ~.
ADJ: usu go ADJ, also ADJ n
15.
Bad language is language that contains offensive words such as swear words.
I don’t like to hear ~ language in the street...
I said a ~ word.
ADJ: usu ADJ n
16.
see also worse , worst
17.
If you say that it is too ~ that something is the case, you mean you are sorry or sad that it is the case.
It is too ~ that Eleanor had to leave so soon...
Too ~ he used his intelligence for criminal purposes.
= a pity, a shame
PHRASE: oft it v-link PHR that feelings
18.
If you say ‘too ~’, you are indicating that nothing can be done to change the situation, and that you do not feel sorry or sympathetic about this.
Too ~ if you missed the bus.
= hard luck
CONVENTION feelings
19.
to make the best of a ~ job: see best
~ blood: see blood
~ luck: see luck
to get a ~ press: see press
to go from ~ to worse: see worse