/bad"lee/ , 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. 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.
[ 1350-1400; ME baddeli. See BAD 1 , -LY ]
Usage . In the sense "very much," BADLY is fully standard: He needs help badly. See also bad .