worst
n. uncountablen. the most unpleasant, difficult, or low-quality thing that could happen. You use it when comparing things to find the one that is the least good.
n. the most serious, unpleasant, or disadvantageous possibility or outcome. Often used with the definite article to indicate the extreme end of a negative spectrum.
The worst of the storm is finally over.
We prepared for the worst by packing extra food and water before the blizzard hit.
While the initial results were disappointing, the worst of the economic downturn appeared to have passed by the second quarter of the fiscal year.
From Middle English worste, wurste, warste, werste, wirste, from Old English wierrest, from Proto-Germanic wirsistaz, superlative form of ubilaz (“bad, evil”); compare worse. Cognate with Old Saxon wirsista, wirrista (“worst”), Old High German wirst, wirsesto, wirsisto (“worst”), Danish værst (“worst”), Swedish värst (“worst”), Icelandic verstur (“worst”).
Usually preceded by the definite article 'the'.
at the worstat worstWhen used as an adverbial phrase meaning 'in the most negative view', the definite article is typically omitted.