bad
bad
Bad (adj) means of low quality, unpleasant, or unsatisfactory. Example: “The food at that restaurant was surprisingly bad.”
adj
1
Of low quality, unpleasant, or unsatisfactory.
"The food at that restaurant was surprisingly bad."
"It was a bad day from start to finish."
"The film had a bad script and even worse acting."
2
Morally wrong or wicked.
"The villain in the story was truly bad, with no redeeming qualities."
"Stealing from a charity is a bad thing to do."
"The children were told that lying is bad, even when it seems harmless."
3
Not functioning correctly, spoiled, or faulty.
"Throw out the milk — it's gone bad."
"I think the eggs have gone bad, because they smell awful."
"A bad battery meant the car would not start this morning."
4
Severe or serious in degree.
"She has a bad headache today."
"There was a bad accident on the motorway this morning."
"He caught a bad cold after walking home in the rain."
5
Informally, excellent, impressive, or admirably tough (a slang meaning that flips the usual sense).
"That guitar solo was bad, in the best possible way."
"Did you see her dance moves? Those were seriously bad, in a good way."
"My grandad's old motorbike looks really bad, and I mean that as a compliment."
How to use bad
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe opposite of good — low quality, unpleasant, wrong, or broken — though slang usage can flip this to mean impressively cool.
Common mistake
Don't confuse the comparative/superlative forms: "bad" becomes "worse" and "worst," not "badder" and "baddest" (except in playful slang).
Easily confused with
Common pairings
bad news
go bad
not bad
bad idea
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Word forms
- Plural
- bads
- Third person singular
- bads
- Past tense
- badded
- Comparative
- worse, badder, more bad
- Superlative
- worst, baddest, most bad
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The food at that restaurant was surprisingly _____.
Etymology
From Middle English bad, badde, of uncertain and much-debated origin — possibly linked to an Old English word for a hermaphrodite, or borrowed from a similar Old Norse word meaning trouble or damage.
Synonyms
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Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “bad” mean?
The word “bad” means of low quality, unpleasant, or unsatisfactory. In plain terms, the opposite of good — low quality, unpleasant, wrong, or broken — though slang usage can flip this to mean impressively cool.
How do you pronounce “bad”?
“Bad” is pronounced bad (/bæd/ in IPA).
How do you use “bad” in a sentence?
Here is “bad” used in a sentence: “The food at that restaurant was surprisingly bad.”
What is another word for “bad”?
Words with a similar meaning to “bad” include abandoned, abominable, base, deficient, corrupt and detestable.
What is the opposite of “bad”?
The opposite of “bad” — its antonyms — are adequate, advantageous, beneficial, benevolent and choice.
What part of speech is “bad”?
“Bad” is an adjective.
Where does the word “bad” come from?
The word “bad” comes from Old English. From Middle English bad, badde, of uncertain and much-debated origin — possibly linked to an Old English word for a hermaphrodite, or borrowed from a similar Old Norse word meaning trouble or damage.
Is “bad” a common word?
“Bad” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
What is the difference between 'bad' and 'badly'?
'Bad' is an adjective describing a noun: 'a bad meal.' 'Badly' is an adverb describing a verb: 'he sang badly.' After linking verbs like 'feel,' use 'bad', so 'I feel bad' describes your state, while 'I feel badly' would technically mean your sense of touch is poor.
What is the comparative and superlative of 'bad'?
'Bad' is irregular: it becomes 'worse' for comparisons between two things and 'worst' for the extreme. So you say 'worse than before' and 'the worst of all,' never 'badder' or 'baddest' in standard English. This irregular pattern is one of the most common in the language.
Can 'bad' mean good in slang?
Yes. In informal slang, 'bad' can flip to mean excellent, impressive, or stylish, as in 'a bad new car.' The intensified form 'baddest' often signals this admiring sense. Tone and context tell listeners whether the literal negative meaning or the slang compliment is intended.
What is the opposite of 'bad'?
The direct opposite is 'good.' Depending on the sense, other antonyms include 'excellent' for quality, 'pleasant' for experience, and 'satisfactory' for performance. Because 'bad' covers quality, morality, and enjoyment alike, the best opposite depends on exactly which meaning you have in mind.
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