worst
(redirected from worsts)Also found in: Thesaurus, Idioms.
worst
(wûrst)adj.Superlative of bad1 ill
1. Most inferior, as in quality, condition, or effect: the worst hitter on the team.
2. Most severe or unfavorable: the worst winter in years.
3. Being furthest from an ideal or a standard; least desirable or satisfactory: This is the worst cafeteria!
adv.Superlative of badly ill
In the worst manner or degree.
tr.v. worst·ed, worst·ing, worsts
To gain the advantage over; defeat: was worsted in the argument.
n.
Idioms: Something that is worst.
at (the) worst
Under the most negative circumstances, estimation, or interpretation: At worst, the storm will make us postpone the trip.
get/have the worst of it
To suffer a defeat or disadvantage.
if (the) worst comes to (the) worst
If the very worst thing happens.
in the worst way Informal
Very much; a great deal: wanted to be elected in the worst way.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
worst
(wɜːst)adj
the superlative of bad1
adv
1. in the most extreme or bad manner or degree
2. least well, suitably, or acceptably
3. (in combination) in or to the smallest degree or extent; least: worst-loved.
n
4. the worst the least good or most inferior person, thing, or part in a group, narrative, etc
5. (often preceded by at) the most poor, unpleasant, or unskilled quality or condition: television is at its worst these days.
6. the greatest amount of damage or wickedness of which a person or group is capable: the invaders came and did their worst.
7. the weakest effort or poorest achievement that a person or group is capable of making: the applicant did his worst at the test because he did not want the job.
8. the worst
a. in the least favourable interpretation or view
b. under the least favourable conditions
9. if the worst comes to the worst if all the more desirable alternatives become impossible or if the worst possible thing happens
10. come off worst get the worst of it to enjoy the least benefit from an issue or be defeated in it
vb
(tr) to get the advantage over; defeat or beat
[Old English wierrest; related to Old Frisian wersta, Old Saxon, Old High German wirsisto, Old Norse verstr]
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014
worst
(wɜrst)adj. superlative of bad and ill, adj.
1. bad or ill in the highest, greatest, or most extreme degree: the worst person.
2. most faulty or unsatisfactory: the worst paper submitted.
3. most unfavorable or injurious: the worst rating.
4. in the poorest condition: the worst house on the block.
5. most unpleasant, unattractive, or disagreeable: the worst personality I've ever known.
6. most lacking in skill; least skilled.
n. 7. that which is worst.
adv. 8. in the most evil, wicked, severe, or disadvantageous manner.
9. with the most severity, intensity, etc.; in the greatest degree.
v.t. 10. to defeat; beat.
Idioms: 1. at (the) worst, if the worst happens; under the worst conditions.
2. if worst comes to worst, if the very worst happens.
3. in the worst way, very much; extremely: to want something in the worst way.
[before 900; Middle English worste, Old English wyr(re)sta, wer(re)sta (adj. and adv.), c. Old Norse verstr]
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.
worst
Worst is the superlative form of bad and the usual superlative form of badly.
See bad - badly
Collins COBUILD English Usage © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 2004, 2011, 2012
worst
Past participle: worsted
Gerund: worsting
| Imperative |
|---|
| worst |
| worst |
Collins English Verb Tables © HarperCollins Publishers 2011
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
Switch to new thesaurus
| Noun | 1. | worst - the least favorable outcome; "the worst that could happen" final result, outcome, resultant, termination, result - something that results; "he listened for the results on the radio" |
| 2. | worst - the greatest damage or wickedness of which one is capable; "the invaders did their worst"; "so pure of heart that his worst is another man's best" | |
| 3. | worst - the weakest effort or poorest achievement one is capable of; "it was the worst he had ever done on a test" attempt, effort, try, endeavor, endeavour - earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something; "made an effort to cover all the reading material"; "wished him luck in his endeavor"; "she gave it a good try" best - the supreme effort one can make; "they did their best" | |
| Verb | 1. | worst - defeat thoroughly; "He mopped up the floor with his opponents" |
| Adj. | 1. | worst - (superlative of `bad') most wanting in quality or value or condition; "the worst player on the team"; "the worst weather of the year" superlative - an exaggerated expression (usually of praise); "the critics lavished superlatives on it" bad - having undesirable or negative qualities; "a bad report card"; "his sloppy appearance made a bad impression"; "a bad little boy"; "clothes in bad shape"; "a bad cut"; "bad luck"; "the news was very bad"; "the reviews were bad"; "the pay is bad"; "it was a bad light for reading"; "the movie was a bad choice" inferior - of low or inferior quality best - (superlative of `good') having the most positive qualities; "the best film of the year"; "the best solution"; "the best time for planting"; "wore his best suit" |
| Adv. | 1. | worst - to the highest degree of inferiority or badness; "She suffered worst of all"; "schools were the worst hit by government spending cuts"; "the worst dressed person present" |
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.
worst
verbThe American Heritage® Roget's Thesaurus. Copyright © 2013, 2014 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
TranslationsSelect a language:
Spanish / Español
worst
[wɜːst]A. ADJ SUPERL of bad
1. (gen) → peor
it was the worst film I've ever seen → fue la peor película de mi vida, fue la película más mala que he visto en mi vida
worst of all → lo que es peor
it was the worst winter for 20 years → fue el peor invierno en 20 años
the worst storm in years → la peor tormenta en años
that's the worst part (of it) → eso es lo peor
at the worst possible time → en el peor momento posible
it was the worst thing he ever did → fue lo peor que hizo nunca
see also fear
it was the worst film I've ever seen → fue la peor película de mi vida, fue la película más mala que he visto en mi vida
worst of all → lo que es peor
it was the worst winter for 20 years → fue el peor invierno en 20 años
the worst storm in years → la peor tormenta en años
that's the worst part (of it) → eso es lo peor
at the worst possible time → en el peor momento posible
it was the worst thing he ever did → fue lo peor que hizo nunca
see also fear
B. ADV SUPERL of badly
C. N
1. the worst → lo peor
the worst that can happen is that → lo peor que puede pasar es que ...
we threw away the worst of them → los peores los tiramos a la basura
to fear the worst → temerse lo peor
the worst of it is that → lo peor de todo es que ...
that's not the worst of it → eso no es lo peor
to get the worst of it → llevarse la peor parte
if the worst comes to the worst → en el peor de los casos
the worst that can happen is that → lo peor que puede pasar es que ...
we threw away the worst of them → los peores los tiramos a la basura
to fear the worst → temerse lo peor
the worst of it is that → lo peor de todo es que ...
that's not the worst of it → eso no es lo peor
to get the worst of it → llevarse la peor parte
if the worst comes to the worst → en el peor de los casos
2.
at worst → en el peor de los casos
at worst, they can only say no → en el peor de los casos, nos dirán que no
the situation is at its worst in urban centres → en los núcleos urbanos es donde la situación es más grave
things or matters were at their worst → las cosas estaban peor que nunca
he's at his worst in the evenings → por las tardes es cuando está más insoportable
at worst → en el peor de los casos
at worst, they can only say no → en el peor de los casos, nos dirán que no
the situation is at its worst in urban centres → en los núcleos urbanos es donde la situación es más grave
things or matters were at their worst → las cosas estaban peor que nunca
he's at his worst in the evenings → por las tardes es cuando está más insoportable
Collins Spanish Dictionary - Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005
worst
(wəːst) adjective bad to the greatest extent. That is the worst book I have ever read.peor
adverb in the worst way or manner. This group performed worst (of all) in the test.peor
pronoun the thing, person etc which is bad to the greatest extent. the worst of the three; His behaviour is at its worst when he's with strangers; At the worst they can only fine you.lo peor
do one's worst to do the most evil etc thing that one can. hacerlo lo peor posible
get the worst of to be defeated in (a fight etc). ser derrotado
if the worst comes to the worst if the worst possible thing happens. If the worst comes to the worst you can sell your house.en el peor de los casos
the worst of it is (that) the most unfortunate etc aspect of the situation is (that). lo peor de todo es (que)
Kernerman English Multilingual Dictionary © 2006-2013 K Dictionaries Ltd.
worst
→ pésimoMultilingual Translator © HarperCollins Publishers 2009