# badly

/ˈbædɫi/ (US) · /bˈædli/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/badly
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. poorly or incorrectly

adverb · CEFR A2

in a way that is not good, successful, or correct.

For teachers: in a poor, unsatisfactory, or incompetent manner.

- The team played badly and lost the game by three goals.
- The report was so badly written that the board members struggled to understand the primary recommendations.

Usage: Usually follows the verb or the object of the verb.

### 2. very much

adverb · CEFR B1

very much or to a great degree, especially when you want or need something.

For teachers: used as an intensifier to indicate a high degree of need, desire, or severity.

- He wanted the job so badly that he practiced his interview for days.
- The local infrastructure was badly damaged during the storm, requiring immediate financial intervention from the government.

Usage: Commonly collocates with verbs like 'want', 'need', 'damage', or 'hurt'.

### 3. unwell

adjective · CEFR C2 · Dialect · British English

feeling sick or unwell.

For teachers: describing a state of ill health or physical sickness.

- He's been feeling a bit badly lately and decided to stay in bed.
- The old man looked quite badly after his long journey through the winter cold.

Teaching tip: This sense is specific to certain British dialects, particularly in Northern England; most English speakers use 'ill' or 'unwell' instead.

## Examples

- The team played badly and lost the game.
- The old bridge was built so badly that the city had to close it for repairs after only five years.
- 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.

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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.