Definition of bad
(Entry 1 of 3)
1a
: failing to reach an acceptable standard : poor
a bad repair job
b
: unfavorable
make a bad impression
c
: not fresh : spoiled
bad fish
d
: not sound : dilapidated
the house was in bad condition
2a
: morally objectionable : evil
bad men
b
: mischievous, disobedient
a bad dog
3
: inadequate or unsuited to a purpose
a bad plan bad lighting
4
: disagreeable, unpleasant
bad news
not bad
: fairly or acceptably good
She eyes the other girls' clothes. A bright orange skirt. Good. A black cocktail dress with a gold belt. Not bad. A white dress with a blousy, frilly top. Hideous.— Karl Taro Greenfeld
: quite good or impressive
For the second time in three games, Patrick Roy blanked the Dallas Stars. Not bad for a player who insists he is not a shutout goalie. — The New York Times
bad
nounDefinition of bad (Entry 2 of 3)
1
: something that is bad
There's more good than bad in him. Take the good with the bad.
2
: an evil or unhappy state
Things went from bad to worse.
3
: fault sense 2
the mistake was my bad
bad
adverbDefinition of bad (Entry 3 of 3)
: badly
not doing so bad doesn't want it bad enough
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share bad
Time Traveler for bad
The first known use of bad was in the 13th century
See more words from the same century