worst

¹worst

adjective \ˈwərst\

Definition of WORST

superlative of bad or of ill

1

: most corrupt, bad, evil, or ill <his worst fault>

2

a : most unfavorable, difficult, unpleasant, or painful <the worst news> <your worst enemy>

b : most unsuitable, faulty, unattractive, or ill-conceived <has the worst table manners>

c : least skillful or efficient <the worst person for the job>

3

: most wanting in quality, value, or condition <the worst results>

— the worst way

: very much <such men … need indoctrination the worst way — J. G. Cozzens> —often used with in <wanted a new bicycle in the worst way>

Examples of WORST

1. This is the worst car I've ever bought.
2. In my opinion, it's her worst book.
3. It was the worst movie I've ever seen.
4. His worst quality is his impatience.
5. This has got to be the worst day of my life.
6. The worst part of working there is the long commute.
7. My worst fears came true.
8. He lives in the worst area of the city.
9. He is the worst singer I've ever heard.
10. They're the worst team ever.

Origin of WORST

Middle English werste, worste, from Old English wierresta, wyrsta, superl. of the root of Old English wiersa worse

First Known Use: before 12th century

Rhymes with WORST

burst, cursed, erst, first, Hearst, thirst, verst

²worst

adverb

Definition of WORST

superlative of ill or illy or of bad or badly

1

: to the extreme degree of badness or inferiority <the worst dressed person>

2

: to the greatest or highest degree <groups who need the subsidies worst lose out — T. W. Arnold>

Examples of WORST

1. My sister was hurt worst.
2. the areas worst hit by the drought
3. She was voted the worst-dressed celebrity of 2005.

First Known Use of WORST

before 12th century

³worst

noun

plural worst

Definition of WORST

: one that is worst

— at worst

: under the worst circumstances

Examples of WORST

1. What's the worst that can happen?
2. When it comes to dancing, he is the worst.
3. That movie was the worst!
4. He is the worst of the bunch.
5. He is one of the worst in the class.
6. Even in the worst of times, she was hopeful.
7. It's still raining, but the worst of the storm is over now.
8. The worst of it is, I don't even know how to contact her.
9. The company was operating on high costs and low prices—the worst of both worlds.

First Known Use of WORST

13th century

⁴worst

transitive verb

Definition of WORST

: to get the better of : defeat

Examples of WORST

1. <how humiliating for a tennis champ to be worsted by a player no one had ever heard of>

First Known Use of WORST

1636

Related to WORST

Synonyms

best, conquer, defeat, dispatch, do down [British], get, get around, lick, master, overbear, overcome, overmatch, prevail (over), skunk, stop, subdue, surmount, take, trim, triumph (over), upend, win (against), beat

Antonyms

lose (to)

Related Words

sweep; edge (out), nose out, pip [British]; annihilate, blow away, blow out, bomb, break, bury, clobber, cream, crush, drub, finish, flatten, overwhelm, rout, shellac, skin, slaughter, smoke [slang], snow under, thrash, trounce, upset, wallop, wax [slang], whip; cap, excel, flourish, score, succeed; knock off, knock over, overpower, overthrow, subjugate, unseat, vanquish; ace (out), better, eclipse, exceed, excel, outdistance, outdo, outfight, outshine, outstrip, overtop, surpass, top, transcend

Near Antonyms

fall, give up, go down, go under; collapse, fail, flop, flunk, fold, wash out

worst

   (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of WORST

superlative of ill