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worse
[ wurs ]
/ wɜrs /
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adjective, comparative of bad and ill, withworst as superlative.
noun
that which is worse.
adverb
in a more evil, wicked, severe, or disadvantageous manner.
with more severity, intensity, etc.; in a greater degree.
QUIZ
THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?
Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.
Question 1 of 7
In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…
Origin of worse
First recorded before 900; Middle English (adjective, adverb, and noun); Old English wiersa (comparative adjective), wiers (adverb); cognate with Old Norse verri, Gothic wairsiza; see war2
Words nearby worse
worrit, worry, worry beads, worryguts, worrywart, worse, worse for wear, worsen, worser, worset, worship
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use worse in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for worse
worse
/ (wɜːs) /
adjective
noun
adverb
in a more severe or unpleasant manner
in a less effective or successful manner
Word Origin for worse
Old English wiersa; related to Old Frisian werra, Old High German wirsiro, Old Norse verri, Gothic wairsiza
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Other Idioms and Phrases with worse
worse
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.