worse

[ wurs ]
See synonyms for worse on Thesaurus.com
adjective,comparative of bad and ill, withworst as superlative.
  1. bad or ill in a greater or higher degree; inferior in excellence, quality, or character.

  2. more unfavorable or injurious.

  1. in less good condition; in poorer health.

noun
  1. that which is worse.

adverb
  1. in a more evil, wicked, severe, or disadvantageous manner.

  2. with more severity, intensity, etc.; in a greater degree.

Origin of worse

1
First recorded before 900; Middle English (adjective, adverb, and noun); Old English wiersa (comparative adjective), wiers (adverb); cognate with Old Norse verri, Gothic wairsiza; see war2

Words Nearby worse

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use worse in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for worse

worse

/ (wɜːs) /


adjective
  1. the comparative of bad 1

  2. none the worse for not harmed by (adverse events or circumstances)

  1. the worse for wear

    • shabby or worn

    • a slang term for drunk

  2. worse luck! informal unhappily; unfortunately

  3. worse off (postpositive) in a worse, esp a worse financial, condition

noun
  1. something that is worse

  2. for the worse into a less desirable or inferior state or condition: a change for the worse

  1. go from bad to worse to deteriorate even more

adverb
  1. in a more severe or unpleasant manner

  2. in a less effective or successful manner

Origin of worse

1
Old English wiersa; related to Old Frisian werra, Old High German wirsiro, Old Norse verri, Gothic wairsiza

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Idioms and Phrases with worse

worse

In addition to the idiom beginning with worse

  • worse for wear

also see:

  • all the (worse)
  • bark is worse than one's bite
  • fate worse than death
  • for better or for worse
  • from bad to worse
  • if worst comes to worst
  • none the worse
  • take a turn for the better (worse)

Also see underworst.

The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.