Worse

/wɜːrs/

Meaning & Definition

adjective

Of lower quality or a more serious nature than another.

The weather today is worse than it was yesterday.

More severe or difficult than something else.

The injury was worse than they had initially thought.

In a more unpleasant or unfavorable position.

After the argument, their relationship became worse.

adverb

In a worse manner; in a more severe or unpleasant way.

She felt worse after the bad news.

To a greater degree of unpleasantness or severity.

The situation worsened after the storm.

Middle English 'wyrse', from Old English 'wyrsa'; related to 'bad' and 'worse'.

worse comes to worst

A situation has reached its most severe or bad state.

make matters worse

To aggravate a problem or difficulty.

worse for wear

In a worse condition than before.

worsening

The process of becoming worse.

worst

The lowest quality or most severe condition.

bad

Of poor quality or low standard.

Worse off

After the breakup, he feels worse off than before.

Worse than it sounds

The situation is worse than it sounds; we need to act now.