adjective,superlative of bad and ill, withworse as comparative.
bad or ill in the highest, greatest, or most extreme degree: the worst person.
most faulty, unsatisfactory, or objectionable: the worst paper submitted.
most unfavorable or injurious.
in the poorest condition: the worst house on the block.
most unpleasant, unattractive, or disagreeable: the worst personality I've ever known.
most lacking in skill; least skilled: the worst typist in the group.
noun
that which is worst.
adverb
in the most evil, wicked, severe, or disadvantageous manner.
with the most severity, intensity, etc.; in the greatest degree.
verb (used with object)
to defeat; beat: He worsted him easily.
Idioms for worst
at worst, if the worst happens; under the worst conditions: He will be expelled from school, at worst.Also at the worst.
get the worst of, to be defeated in; experience the most harm from: New Jersey got the worst of the storm.
if worst comes to worst, if the very worst happens: If worst comes to worst, we still have some money in reserve.
in the worst way, Informal. in an extreme degree; very much: She wanted a new robe for Christmas in the worst way.Also the worst way.
Origin of worst
First recorded before 900; Middle English worste (adjective, adverb, and noun), Old English wur(re)sta, wyr(re)st, wer(re)sta (adjective and adverb); cognate with Old Norse verstr; see worse, -est1
WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH worst
worst , wurst
Words nearby worst
worser, worset, worship, worshipful, worship the ground someone walks on, worst, worst-case, worsted, wort, worth, worthful
A party’s median vote share comes from the district in the middle of a distribution, with the party’s worst-performing district in terms of vote share at one end and the best-performing district at the other.
They addressed their problems at the catching position, which is tied with left field for their worst-performing position in terms of WAR, by sending Austin Hedges to Cleveland and bringing in Nola and Castro.
The Padres Are Going For It|Travis Sawchik|September 2, 2020|FiveThirtyEight
The worst-performing animal still judged at least eight in every 10 samples correctly.
Viral scents? Dogs sniff out coronavirus in human sweat|Sharon Oosthoek|August 19, 2020|Science News For Students
But there is an underlying feeling that the worst is yet to come.
Europe’s Islam Haters Say We Told You So|Barbie Latza Nadeau|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST
If there are 162 confirmed deaths from Flight 8501, this would make 2014 the worst year for accident deaths since 2005.
Did Bad Weather Bring Down AirAsia 8501?|Clive Irving|December 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
And his worst work is better than the stuff everyone else is doing.
Coffee Talk with Ethan Hawke: On ‘Boyhood,’ Jennifer Lawrence, and Bill Clinton’s Urinal Exchange|Marlow Stern|December 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST
It was neither the best nor worst pickup line I encountered that evening.
The Craziest Date Night for Single Jews, Where Mistletoe Is Ditched for Shots|Emily Shire|December 26, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Although I was not free of eating disorder thoughts, I figured the worst of it was behind me.
You’re Never ‘Cured’ of an Eating Disorder|Carrie Arnold|December 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Happily the subject is usually picturesque, and old Holinshed at his worst was no contemptible writer.
The Battaile of Agincourt|Michael Drayton
More is often done for the worst cause than men are willing to do or to sacrifice for the best.
Public School Education|Michael Mller
It was packed with all the worst cases—dying and bleeding and groaning.
Diary of a Nursing Sister on the Western Front, 1914-1915|Anonymous
At the worst, a halt at some house would serve to break the monotony of the hike.
The Boy Scouts of Lakeville High|Leslie W. Quirk
The worst enemy of M. le Duc d'Orleans could not have devised a more rash and ridiculous undertaking.
The Memoirs of Louis XIV., His Court and The Regency, Complete|Duc de Saint-Simon
British Dictionary definitions for worst
worst
/ (wɜːst) /
adjective
the superlative of bad 1
adverb
in the most extreme or bad manner or degree
least well, suitably, or acceptably
(in combination)in or to the smallest degree or extent; leastworst-loved
noun
the worstthe least good or most inferior person, thing, or part in a group, narrative, etc
(often preceded by at)the most poor, unpleasant, or unskilled quality or conditiontelevision is at its worst these days
the greatest amount of damage or wickedness of which a person or group is capablethe invaders came and did their worst
the weakest effort or poorest achievement that a person or group is capable of makingthe applicant did his worst at the test because he did not want the job
the worst
in the least favourable interpretation or view
under the least favourable conditions
if the worst comes to the worstif all the more desirable alternatives become impossible or if the worst possible thing happens
come off worstorget the worst of itto enjoy the least benefit from an issue or be defeated in it
verb
(tr)to get the advantage over; defeat or beat
Word Origin for worst
Old English wierrest; related to Old Frisian wersta, Old Saxon, Old High German wirsisto, Old Norse verstr