worst
/wə:st/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Adjective (Superlative form of 'bad'):
- Most inferior in quality, value, or condition: Used to describe something that has the lowest standard or is the least favorable among a group.
- Most severe or serious: Used to describe the most extreme degree of something negative, such as an illness, weather, or fault.
Adverb (Superlative form of 'badly'):
- To the greatest degree of inferiority or badness: Used to modify a verb, indicating that an action is performed in the poorest manner or that a state is experienced in the most severe way.
Noun:
- The most inferior or unfavorable thing/part: The thing or aspect that is the least good.
- The greatest degree of damage, evil, or adversity possible: The most severe harm or negative outcome that can be inflicted or experienced.
- The weakest effort or poorest achievement: The lowest level of performance someone is capable of.
Verb (Transitive):
- To defeat thoroughly: To overcome an opponent completely in a contest or conflict.
Usage Examples
Adjective:
- He is the worst player on the team. (His skills are the most inferior among the players.)
- We are experiencing the worst weather of the year. (The weather conditions are the most severe or unpleasant this year.)
Adverb:
- Of all the patients, she suffered worst. (She experienced the most severe degree of suffering.)
- Schools were the worst hit by the budget cuts. (Schools were affected to the greatest degree of severity.)
Noun:
- That test score was the worst he had ever done. (It was his poorest achievement on a test.)
- The invaders did their worst, but the city held strong. (They inflicted the greatest damage they were capable of.)
- We must prepare for the worst. (We must prepare for the least favorable possible outcome.)
Verb:
- The champion worsted his opponent in the final round. (He defeated his opponent thoroughly.)
Advanced Usage
"If (the) worst comes to (the) worst": Used to talk about the worst possible thing that could happen in a situation.
- We have savings, and if the worst comes to the worst, we can use them.
"At (its) worst": Describing someone or something when they are in their most negative state or condition.
- His temper, at its worst, is terrifying.
"Do your worst": A phrase of defiance, challenging someone to do the most harmful thing they can.
- I'm not afraid of your threats; do your worst!
Variants and Related Words
- Worse (adj/adv): Comparative form of 'bad' and 'badly'.
- This coffee is worse than yesterday's.
- Badly (adv): In an unsatisfactory, inadequate, or unsuccessful way.
- Inferior (adj): Lower in quality or value.
Synonyms
- Poorest (adj): Most lacking in quality.
- Lowest (adj): Of the least quality or standard.
- Most severe (adj): Most serious or intense.
- Defeat (v): Overcome in a competition.
Antonyms
- Best (adj/adv/n): Superlative form of 'good' and 'well'; the most excellent.
- Superior (adj): Higher in quality or standard.
Idioms and Phrases
- Get the worst of it: To be defeated or to suffer the most in a conflict or situation.
- In the argument, I'm afraid I got the worst of it.
- The worst of both worlds: A situation where you experience the disadvantages of two different options.
- Working from home with constant interruptions gives me the worst of both worlds.
Adjective
- (superlative of `bad') most wanting in quality or value or condition
- the worst player on the team
- the worst weather of the year
Adverb
- to the highest degree of inferiority or badness
- She suffered worst of all
- schools were the worst hit by government spending cuts
- the worst dressed person present
Noun
- the weakest effort or poorest achievement one is capable of
- it was the worst he had ever done on a test
- the greatest damage or wickedness of which one is capable
- the invaders did their worst
- so pure of heart that his worst is another man's best
- the least favorable outcome
- the worst that could happen
Verb
- defeat thoroughly
- He mopped up the floor with his opponents