badly
BAD-lee
Badly (adv) means In a poor, unsatisfactory, or incorrect way. Example: “The project was managed badly from the very start.”
adv
1
In a poor, unsatisfactory, or incorrect way.
"The project was managed badly from the very start."
"He played the piano badly, hitting the wrong notes again and again."
"The shelves were badly built and collapsed under the weight of the books."
2
To a great degree; very much.
"Everything went badly wrong."
"Look at these split ends! You badly need a haircut!"
"In late 1970, Labour assumed the shadow posts, having lost badly (and unforeseenly) in the summer General Election."
— Darl Larsen, Monty Python's Flying Circus (2008)
"She badly wanted to win the competition."
"I badly need a holiday after this busy term."
"The team badly needs a new goalkeeper before the season starts."
How to use badly
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishPoorly, or — in a different sense — intensely and urgently.
Common mistake
In formal writing, "I feel bad" (adjective) is standard, not "I feel badly," which technically suggests a problem with your sense of touch.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
badly needed
badly injured
go badly
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Word forms
- Comparative
- worse, more badly
- Superlative
- worst, most badly
Fill the gap
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The project was managed _____ from the very start.
Etymology
From Middle English badly, formed from bad plus the adverb-forming suffix -ly.
Synonyms
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poorly
inadequately
incorrectly
unsatisfactorily
imperfectly
wrongly
shoddily
bad
seriously
ill
severely
gravely
Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for badly
See all rhymes for badly →Frequently asked questions
What does “badly” mean?
The word “badly” means in a poor, unsatisfactory, or incorrect way. In plain terms, poorly, or — in a different sense — intensely and urgently.
How do you pronounce “badly”?
“Badly” is pronounced BAD-lee (/ˈbæd.li/ in IPA).
How do you use “badly” in a sentence?
Here is “badly” used in a sentence: “The project was managed badly from the very start.”
What part of speech is “badly”?
“Badly” is an adverb.
Where does the word “badly” come from?
The word “badly” comes from Middle English. From Middle English badly, formed from bad plus the adverb-forming suffix -ly.
Is “badly” a common word?
“Badly” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “badly” have?
“Badly” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: in a poor, unsatisfactory, or incorrect way.
What is the difference between 'badly' and 'bad'?
'Badly' is an adverb and describes how an action is done — "she sings badly." 'Bad' is an adjective and describes a noun — "a bad singer." A common trap is "I feel bad" (correct, describing your state) versus "I feel badly," which literally implies your sense of touch is poor.
What is the opposite of 'badly'?
The direct opposite is 'well,' meaning in a good, satisfactory, or correct way — "he did badly" becomes "he did well." Other contrasting adverbs include 'skilfully,' 'properly,' and 'successfully,' with the best choice depending on whether you mean quality, correctness, or a good outcome.
What is an example of 'badly' in a sentence?
'Badly' usually follows a verb to show poor performance or manner: "the essay was badly written," "they performed badly in the exam," or "the wound was bleeding badly." It can also mean 'very much' or 'greatly,' as in "she badly wanted to win" or "we badly need help."
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