worst

[ wurst ]

adjective

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:

   He’s the worst player on the team.

noun

1. that which is worst.

adverb

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

verb (used with object)

1. to defeat; beat:

   He worsted him easily.

worst

/ wɜːst /

adjective

1. the superlative of bad 1

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
   1. in the least favourable interpretation or view
   2. under the least favourable conditions
6. if the worst comes to the worst
   if all the more desirable alternatives become impossible or if the worst possible thing happens
7. come off worst or get the worst of it
   to enjoy the least benefit from an issue or be defeated in it

verb

1. tr to get the advantage over; defeat or beat

Word History and Origins

Origin of worst¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English worste (adjective, adverb, and noun), Old English wur(re)sta, wyr(re)st, wer(re)sta (adjective and adverb); cognate with Old Norse verstr; worse, -est ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of worst¹

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

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. at worst, if the worst happens; under the worst conditions: Also at the worst.

   He will be expelled from school, at worst.

2. get the worst of, to be defeated in; experience the most harm from:

   New Jersey got the worst of the storm.

3. if worst comes to worst, if the very worst happens:

   If worst comes to worst, we still have some money in reserve.

4. in the worst way, Informal. in an extreme degree; very much: Also the worst way.

   She wanted a new robe for Christmas in the worst way.

More idioms and phrases containing worst

see at worst ; get (have) the worst of it ; if worst comes to worst ; in the worst way . Also see under worse .

Example Sentences

"This is a disaster for US security & alliances. Of all Trump's decisions so far, might be the worst. Tulsi Gabbard has consistently parroted pro-Putin propaganda. Director of National Intelligence is a critical position for which she has absolutely no experience and skill," Thomas Judeau, professor at the University of Ottawa, wrote in an X post.

From Salon

Mr Podmore describes this training as “totally inadequate”, and “the worst and shortest of any jurisdiction I have observed over five continents”.

From BBC

Let me take this moment to thank you for venturing back into the fever swamp of news following the second worst election ever.

From Los Angeles Times

A fortnight after the worst floods to hit a single European country this century, Paiporta is still full of firefighters, police officers as well as the Red Cross and an army of daily volunteers.

From BBC

Although the vast majority of houses are still standing, there is a lack of electricity, hot or drinking water in the streets that were the worst hit.

From BBC

Related Words

• lowest