First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
1bad
adjective \ˈbad\
: low or poor in quality
: not correct or proper
: not pleasant, pleasing, or enjoyable
worse \ˈwərs\ worst \ˈwərst\
Full Definition of BAD
1
a : failing to reach an acceptable standard : poor <a bad repair job> b : unfavorable <make a bad impression> c : not fresh : spoiled <bad fish> d : not sound : dilapidated <the house was in bad condition>
2
a : morally objectionable : evil <bad men> b : mischievous, disobedient <a bad dog>
3
: inadequate or unsuited to a purpose <a bad plan> <bad lighting>
4
: disagreeable, unpleasant <bad news>
See bad defined for English-language learners
See bad defined for kids
ADVERTISEMENT
Origin of BAD
Middle English
Related to BAD
- Synonyms
- bastard, bush, bush-league, crummy (also crumby), deficient, dissatisfactory, ill, inferior, lame, lousy, off, paltry, poor, punk, sour, suboptimal, subpar, substandard, unacceptable, unsatisfactory, wack [slang], wanting, wretched, wrong, below (or under) par, from hunger
- Antonyms
- acceptable, adequate, all right, decent, fine, OK (or okay), passable, respectable, satisfactory, standard, tolerable
2bad
noun
: morally bad forces or influences
the bad : the unpleasant things that happen to people
: things that are morally wrong
Full Definition of BAD
1
: something that is bad
2
: an evil or unhappy state
3
: fault 4 <the mistake was my bad>
See bad defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of BAD
15th century
3bad
adverb
Definition of BAD
: badly <not doing so bad> <doesn't want it bad enough>
See bad defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of BAD
1681
Related to BAD
- Synonyms
- badly, deficiently, inadequately, lousily, poorly, unacceptably, unsatisfactorily, wretchedly
- Antonyms
- acceptably, adequately, all right, fine, good, nicely, OK (or okay), palatably, passably, satisfactorily, so-so, tolerably, well
BAD Defined for Kids
bad
adjective \ˈbad\
worse \ˈwərs\worst \ˈwərst\
Definition of BAD for Kids
1
: not good : poor <bad weather> <bad work>
2
: not favorable <a bad report> <bad times>
3
: not fresh or sound <bad meat>
4
: not good or right : evil <a bad person>
5
: not behaving properly <a bad dog>
6
: not enough <bad lighting>
7
: unpleasant <bad news>
8
: harmful <bad for the health>
10
: not correct <bad spelling> <bad manners>
11
: not cheerful or calm <a bad mood>
12
: not healthy <bad teeth> <He felt bad from a cold.>
13
: sorry 1 <I felt bad about my mistake.>
14
: not skillful <a bad musician>
— bad·ness noun
Synonym Discussion of BAD
bad, evil, and wicked mean not doing or being what is right. bad is used of anyone or anything that a person might dislike or find fault with. <He had to stay after school for bad behavior.> evil is a more powerful word than bad and is used for something of bad moral character. <Criminals were planning evil deeds.> wicked is used of someone or something that is truly and deliberately bad. <He was a very wicked ruler who caused many people harm.>
Learn More About BAD
Browse
ADVERTISEMENT
Seen & Heard
What made you want to look up bad? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).