What is worse? How to use in English

Definition & pronunciation of worse

worseadjective
xấu
/wəːs/

Definition & pronunciation of <b>worse</b>

Where does the word worse come from?

The word "worse" has its roots in Old English. It comes from the prefix "wor-" which means "bad" or "evil", and the suffix "-se" which forms a comparative adjective. In Old English, the word "worse" was spelled "wyrse" and meant "worse" or "more evil". It was used to compare two things with the intention of indicating that one was more disappointing, unpleasant, or of a lower quality than the other. Over time, the spelling of the word has changed to "worse", but its meaning has remained the same. Today, "worse" is used to describe something that is worse or more inferior than something else, often with a sense of regret or disappointment, such as "I'm feeling worse today" or "The weather is getting worse".

Vocabulary summary worse

type adjective (comparative of bad)

meaning worse, worse, worse

example there was worse to come: there are worse things to come

meaning more evil

example a change for the worse

example to go from bad to worse

meaning more dangerous

example to have the worse

example to put to the worse

type adverb (comparative of badly)

meaning worse, worse

example there was worse to come: there are worse things to come

meaning worse, stronger, more outrageous

example a change for the worse

example to go from bad to worse

meaning fall into worse circumstances; decline

example to have the worse

example to put to the worse

Example of vocabulary worsenamespace

of poorer quality or lower standard; more unpleasant

The rooms were awful and the food was worse.
The weather got worse during the day.
I've been to far worse places.
The film was no worse than many others he made in the 1930s.
The interview was much worse than he had expected.

more serious or severe

They were trying to prevent an even worse tragedy.
The crisis was getting worse and worse.
Don't tell her that—you'll only make things worse.
Could things get any worse?
Never mind—it could be worse (= although the situation is bad, it is not as bad as it might have been).

more ill or unhappy