worse

[wurs]

adjective

1. bad or ill in a greater or higher degree; inferior in excellence, quality, or character.

2. more unfavorable or injurious.

3. in less good condition; in poorer health.

noun

1. that which is worse.

adverb

1. in a more evil, wicked, severe, or disadvantageous manner.

2. with more severity, intensity, etc.; in a greater degree.

worse

/ wɜːs /

adjective

1. the comparative of bad 1

2. not harmed by (adverse events or circumstances)

3. 1. shabby or worn

   2. a slang term for drunk

4. informal,  unhappily; unfortunately

5. (postpositive) in a worse, esp a worse financial, condition

noun

1. something that is worse

2. into a less desirable or inferior state or condition

   a change for the worse

3. to deteriorate even more

adverb

1. in a more severe or unpleasant manner

2. in a less effective or successful manner

Word History and Origins

Origin of worse¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English (adjective, adverb, and noun); Old English wiersa (comparative adjective), wiers (adverb); cognate with Old Norse verri, Gothic wairsiza; war ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of worse¹

Old English wiersa; related to Old Frisian werra, Old High German wirsiro, Old Norse verri, Gothic wairsiza

Idioms and Phrases

• all the (worse)
• bark is worse than one's bite
• fate worse than death
• for better or for worse
• from bad to worse
• if worst comes to worst
• none the worse
• take a turn for the better (worse)
• worst

Example Sentences

Not having health insurance can result in catastrophic medical debt and worse health outcomes due to delayed or inaccessible care, experts say.

Read more on MarketWatch

Their choices at graduation, for better and for worse, will write some unexpected chapters for all of their futures.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

So this year, having decided "there's nothing worse than seeing pathetic little pumpkins", the farmer bought three seeds from a professional grower specialising in giant plants based in the United States.

Read more on BBC

Las Vegas, which runs on tourism, has experienced a notable slump, and Cortez Masto suggested the shutdown only makes things worse.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The deluge of phishing texts is getting worse.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• bad 
• poor