# abysmal

/əˈbɪzməɫ/ (US) · /ɐbˈɪsməl/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/abysmal
Updated: 2026-05-18

## Definition

extremely bad or of very poor quality. You use this to describe something that is so low or bad it is hard to believe.

For teachers: extremely bad, low, or poor in quality. Often used to describe performance, conditions, or moral standards that fall far below an acceptable level.

## Examples

- The team's performance was abysmal during the final match.
- The quality of the local water supply was abysmal, leading to a public health crisis.
- Despite the company's vast resources, its management of the crisis was abysmal, resulting in a significant loss of public trust and a sharp decline in stock value.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.