bad
bad Lexical Profile
bad Game Scores & Validity
• adjective
Of poor quality, below an acceptable standard, or defective.
"The restaurant received negative reviews because of its bad service."
Unpleasant, unfavorable, or undesirable in nature or effect.
"We decided to postpone the outdoor concert due to the bad weather."
Harmful, injurious, or detrimental to health or well-being; or (of food) decayed and spoiled.
"Reading in dim light is not actually bad for your eyes, though it can cause temporary strain."
Feeling regret, guilt, sympathy, or physical discomfort.
"She felt bad about missing her colleague's retirement party."
Morally wrong, wicked, or failing to conform to ethical standards.
"The novel explores how ordinary people can be driven to commit bad deeds."
• noun
That which is morally wrong, unpleasant, or of poor quality, especially when contrasted with the good.
"A wise leader learns to accept the bad along with the good."
In informal usage, a mistake, fault, or blameworthy error (used with a possessive pronoun, as in 'my bad').
"That was my bad—I accidentally sent you the outdated schedule."
• adverb
North American Informally, to a great or serious degree; severely or earnestly.
"The team wanted to win the championship so bad that they practiced every day."
Word Nuance & Usage
After linking verbs like 'feel' or 'look', use the predicate adjective 'bad' (e.g., 'I feel bad about the mistake') rather than the adverb 'badly', which strictly describes poor physical ability or manner of action.
• Rhymes for bad
Word Origin & Etymology
From Middle English badde ('evil, wicked, worthless'), possibly derived from Old English bæddel ('hermaphrodite, effeminate man') used as a general term of reproach.