ENGLISH
REFERENCE

badly

adv. manner
A2 Elementary Oxford US //ˈbædɫi// UK //bˈædli// bad·ly General-service

adv. in a way that is not good or successful. You also use it to say you want or need something very much.

adv. in an unsatisfactory, unsuccessful, or incompetent manner; also used as an intensifier to indicate a high degree of need or desire.


SIMPLE

The team played badly and lost the game.

CONTEXTUAL

The old bridge was built so badly that the city had to close it for repairs after only five years.

COMPLEX

The negotiator wanted the deal so badly that he overlooked several minor clauses that eventually led to a significant legal dispute between the two firms.

Synonyms
Antonyms
Origin

From Middle English badly, baddely, baddeliche, equivalent to bad + -ly.

Usage

When used as an intensifier for 'want' or 'need', it typically follows the verb or the object.

Pitfall

I feel badly about the mistakeI feel bad about the mistakeAfter linking verbs like 'feel', 'look', or 'seem', use the adjective 'bad' rather than the adverb 'badly'.

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