worst
wurst
Worst (adj) means Most bad; lowest in quality or most severe. Example: “It was the worst storm the village had ever known.”
adj
1
Most bad; lowest in quality or most severe.
"It was the worst storm the village had ever known."
"That was the worst movie I've seen all year."
"This is the worst traffic jam of the winter so far."
noun
1
The most bad person, thing, or situation.
"Even at its worst, the food was still edible."
"When the worst happened and the power failed, we simply lit candles."
"Prepare for the worst, hope for the best."
verb
1
To defeat or get the better of someone.
"The young chess player worsted the older champion in only twenty moves."
"Our rivals worsted us in the debate by making clearer arguments."
"The champion was worsted in the final round."
How to use worst
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe superlative of "bad" — the most bad of all.
Common mistake
Don't mix up with "worse" (comparative): "worse than the last one" vs "the worst one ever."
Easily confused with
Common pairings
worst-case scenario
at worst
if worst comes to worst
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Word forms
- Plural
- worsts
- Third person singular
- worsts
- Past tense
- worsted
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
It was the _____ storm the village had ever known.
Etymology
From Old English wierrest, the superlative form paired irregularly with "bad" and "worse," much like "good," "better," "best."
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for worst
See all rhymes for worst →Frequently asked questions
What does “worst” mean?
The word “worst” means most bad; lowest in quality or most severe. In plain terms, the superlative of "bad" — the most bad of all.
How do you pronounce “worst”?
“Worst” is pronounced wurst (/wɜɹst/ in IPA).
How do you use “worst” in a sentence?
Here is “worst” used in a sentence: “That was the worst movie I've seen all year.”
What is another word for “worst”?
Words with a similar meaning to “worst” include baddest and pessimal.
What is the opposite of “worst”?
The opposite of “worst” — its antonyms — are best and optimal.
What part of speech is “worst”?
Depending on how it is used, “worst” can be an adjective, a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “worst” come from?
The word “worst” comes from Old English. From Old English wierrest, the superlative form paired irregularly with "bad" and "worse," much like "good," "better," "best.".
Is “worst” a common word?
“Worst” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
What is the difference between worst and worse?
They are different degrees of "bad." "Worse" is comparative, used to compare two things — one is worse than the other. "Worst" is superlative, used for the lowest of three or more, or of all. So today may be worse than yesterday, but the whole week could be the worst so far.
When do you use worst?
Use "worst" when singling out the most bad, lowest or most severe item in a group of three or more, or overall. It usually follows "the": the worst film, the worst day of my life. If you are comparing just two things, "worse" is the correct choice instead.
What is the opposite of worst?
The opposite of "worst" is "best," the superlative of "good." Where "worst" marks the lowest in quality or the most severe, "best" marks the highest or most excellent. The full sequence runs good–better–best on one side and bad–worse–worst on the other.
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