Word
worse
US/ˈwɝs/
UK/wˈɜːs/
Definitions
01more bad
A2 · Elementary
adj. of lower quality or more unpleasant than something else.
adj. the comparative form of 'bad', indicating a lower standard of quality or a greater degree of unpleasantness.
“The weather is even worse today than it was yesterday.”
“The economic conditions in the rural provinces are significantly worse than those in the capital, leading to mass migration.”
Pitfall
The weather today is more worse than yesterday.
The weather today is worse than yesterday.
Do not use 'more' with 'worse' because 'worse' is already a comparative form.
Antonyms
02more severely
B1 · Intermediate
adv. in a way that is more serious or harmful.
adv. the comparative form of 'badly', used to describe actions or states that occur with greater severity or less skill.
“He played worse in the second half of the game.”
“The patient's condition began to deteriorate worse than the doctors had initially predicted, requiring immediate surgical intervention.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
03the worse thing
B2 · Upper Intermediate Uncountable noun
n. the part of a situation that is less good or more harmful.
n. a thing or circumstance that is of inferior quality or greater severity compared to another.
“The situation took a turn for the worse when it started to rain.”
“Despite the intervention, the political climate changed for the worse, resulting in the suspension of diplomatic talks.”
Usage
Often used in the phrase 'for the worse'.
Antonyms
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “worse” in context.
Etymology
From Middle English worse, werse, from Old English wiersa, from Proto-West Germanic wirsiʀō, from Proto-Germanic wirsizô. Cognate with Dutch wers (“worse”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Idioms
Grammar
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.A2 KeyIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.3.0–4.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 2.0–2.524–43TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.225–549
- Frequency
- Very common
- Level
- A2 · ElementaryOxford
- Updated
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