bad

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.

“Bad” is pronounced bad (/bæd/ in IPA).

Here is “bad” used in a sentence: “The food at that restaurant was surprisingly bad.”

Words with a similar meaning to “bad” include abandoned, abominable, base, deficient, corrupt and detestable.

The opposite of “bad” — its antonyms — are adequate, advantageous, beneficial, benevolent and choice.

“Bad” is an adjective.

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.

“Bad” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.

'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.

'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.

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.

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.