worst

[ wurst ]

/ wɜrst /

adjective, superl. of bad and ill.

bad or ill in the highest, greatest, or most extreme degree: the worst person.

most faulty, unsatisfactory, or objectionable: the worst paper submitted.

most unfavorable or injurious.

in the poorest condition: the worst house on the block.

most unpleasant, unattractive, or disagreeable: the worst personality I've ever known.

most lacking in skill; least skilled: the worst typist in the group.

noun

that which is worst.

adverb

in the most evil, wicked, severe, or disadvantageous manner.

with the most severity, intensity, etc.; in the greatest degree.

verb (used with object)

to defeat; beat: He worsted him easily.

Idioms for worst

at worst, if the worst happens; under the worst conditions: He will be expelled from school, at worst. Also at the worst.

get the worst of something, to be defeated by; lose: to get the worst of a fight.

if worst comes to worst, if the very worst happens: If worst comes to worst, we still have some money in reserve.

in the worst way, Informal. in an extreme degree; very much: She wanted a new robe for Christmas in the worst way. Also the worst way.

Origin of worst

before 900; Middle English worste (adj., adv., and noun), Old English wur(re)sta, wyr(re)st, wer(re)sta (adj. and adv.); cognate with Old Norse verstr; see worse, -est¹

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH worst

worst wurst

Words nearby worst

worset, worship, worship the ground someone walks on, worshipful, worssett, worst, worst case, worst-case, worsted, wort, worth

British Dictionary definitions for if worst comes to worst

worst

/ (wɜːst) /

adjective

the superlative of bad 1

adverb

in the most extreme or bad manner or degree

least well, suitably, or acceptably

(in combination) in or to the smallest degree or extent; least worst-loved

noun

the worst the least good or most inferior person, thing, or part in a group, narrative, etc

(often preceded by at) the most poor, unpleasant, or unskilled quality or condition television is at its worst these days

the greatest amount of damage or wickedness of which a person or group is capable the invaders came and did their worst

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

the worst

in the least favourable interpretation or view
under the least favourable conditions

if the worst comes to the worst if all the more desirable alternatives become impossible or if the worst possible thing happens

come off worst or get the worst of it to enjoy the least benefit from an issue or be defeated in it

verb

(tr) to get the advantage over; defeat or beat

Word Origin for worst

Old English wierrest; related to Old Frisian wersta, Old Saxon, Old High German wirsisto, Old Norse verstr

Idioms and Phrases with if worst comes to worst (1 of 2)

if worst comes to worst

Also, if worse comes to worst. In the least favorable situation, if the worst possible outcome occurs. For example, If worst comes to worst and the budget is not approved, the government will shut down, or Go ahead and go to school with a cold; if worse comes to worst the teacher will send you home. This expression is nearly always followed by a solution. [Late 1500s]

Idioms and Phrases with if worst comes to worst (2 of 2)

worst

see at worst; get (have) the worst of it; if worst comes to worst; in the worst way. Also see under worse.

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Learning

worst

adjective, superl. of bad and ill.

noun

adverb

verb (used with object)

Idioms for worst

Origin of worst

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH worst

Words nearby worst

British Dictionary definitions for if worst comes to worst

adjective

adverb

noun

verb

Word Origin for worst

Idioms and Phrases with if worst comes to worst (1 of 2)

Idioms and Phrases with if worst comes to worst (2 of 2)

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Learning

worst

adjective, superl. of bad and ill.

noun

adverb

verb (used with object)

Idioms for worst

Origin of worst

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH worst

Words nearby worst

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []) .push({}); British Dictionary definitions for if worst comes to worst

adjective

adverb

noun

verb

Word Origin for worst

Idioms and Phrases with if worst comes to worst (1 of 2)

Idioms and Phrases with if worst comes to worst (2 of 2)

British Dictionary definitions for if worst comes to worst