bad

[[t]bæ̱d[/t]]

♦

worse, worst

1) ADJ-GRADED Something that is bad is unpleasant, harmful, or undesirable.

The bad weather conditions prevented the plane from landing...

We have been going through a bad time...

I've had a bad day at work...

Divorce is bad for children...

Analysts fear the situation is even worse than the leadership admits.

Ant:

good

2) ADJ-GRADED You use bad to indicate that something unpleasant or undesirable is severe or great in degree.

Glick had a bad accident two years ago and had to give up farming...

This was a bad case of dangerous driving...

The pain is often so bad she wants to scream...

The floods are described as the worst in nearly fifty years.

Syn:

terrible

3) ADJ-GRADED: usu ADJ n A bad idea, decision, or method is not sensible or not correct.

Economist Jeffrey Faux says a tax cut is a bad idea...

Of course politicians will sometimes make bad decisions...

That's not a bad way to proceed, just somewhat different...

The worst thing you can do is underestimate an opponent.

Syn:

poor

Ant:

good

4) ADJ-GRADED: usu ADJ n If you describe a piece of news, an action, or a sign as bad, you mean that it is unlikely to result in benefit or success.

The closure of the project is bad news for her staff...

It was a bad start in my relationship with Warr...

The report couldn't have come at a worse time for the European Commission.

Ant:

good

5) ADJ-GRADED Something that is bad is of an unacceptably low standard, quality, or amount.

She was in rather a bad film about the Mau Mau...

Many old people in Britain are living in bad housing...

The state schools' main problem is that teachers' pay is so bad...

It was absolutely the worst food I have ever had.

Syn:

poor

Ant:

good

6) ADJ-GRADED: v-link ADJ at -ing/n, ADJ n Someone who is bad at doing something is not skilful or successful at it.

He had increased Britain's reputation for being bad at languages...

He was a bad driver...

Rose, her tone implied, was a poor cook and a worse mother.

Syn:

poor

Ant:

good

7) ADJ-GRADED: v-link ADJ, oft it v-link ADJ that If you say that it is bad that something happens, you mean it is unacceptable, unfortunate, or wrong.

Not being able to hear doesn't seem as bad to the rest of us as not being able to see...

You need at least ten pounds if you go to the cinema nowadays - it's really bad.

Ant:

good

8) ADJ-GRADED: with neg You can say that something is not bad to mean that it is quite good or acceptable, especially when you are rather surprised about this.

`How much is he paying you?' - `Oh, five thousand.' - `Not bad.'...

`How are you, mate?' - `Not bad, mate, how's yourself?'...

He's not a bad chap, Geoffrey, quite human for an accountant...

That's not a bad idea.

Ant:

good

9) ADJ-GRADED A bad person has morally unacceptable attitudes and behaviour.

I was selling drugs, but I didn't think I was a bad person...

He does not think that his beliefs make him any worse than any other man.

Syn:

wicked

Ant:

good

Derived words:

badness N-UNCOUNT

They only recognise badness when they perceive it in others.

10) ADJ-GRADED A bad child disobeys rules and instructions or does not behave in a polite and correct way.

You are a bad boy for repeating what I told you...

Many parents find it hard to discourage bad behaviour.

Syn:

naughty

11) ADJ-GRADED: usu ADJ n If you are in a bad mood, you are angry and behave unpleasantly to people.

She is in a bit of a bad mood because she's just given up smoking.

12) ADJ-GRADED: feel ADJ, oft ADJ about n, ADJ that If you feel bad about something, you feel rather sorry or guilty about it.

You don't have to feel bad about relaxing...

I feel bad that he's doing most of the work...

Are you trying to make me feel bad?

Ant:

good

13) ADJ: usu ADJ n If you have a bad back, heart, leg, or eye, it is injured, diseased, or weak.

Alastair has a bad back so we have a hard bed.

14) ADJ: usu go ADJ, also ADJ n Food that has gone bad is not suitable to eat because it has started to decay.

They bought so much beef that some went bad.

15) ADJ-GRADED: usu ADJ n Bad language is language that contains offensive words such as swear words.

I don't like to hear bad language in the street...

I said a bad word.

16) → See also , worst

17) PHRASE: oft it v-link PHR that (feelings) If you say that it is too bad that something is the case, you mean you are sorry or sad that it is the case.

It is too bad that Eleanor had to leave so soon...

`That's too bad,' she said with a sigh. `Vincent can't babysit tomorrow night.'

Syn:

a pity

18) CONVENTION (feelings) If you say `too bad', you are indicating that nothing can be done to change the situation, and that you do not feel sorry or sympathetic about this.

Too bad if you missed the bus.

Syn:

hard luck

19) PHRASE: v-link PHR If someone or something is in a bad way, they are in a bad condition or situation.

The economy is in a bad way...

`You look in a bad way,' chuckled Brad.

20) PHRASE: with brd-neg If nobody has a bad word to say about you, you are liked or admired by everyone.

She's got beauty, wealth, and fame, and we still can't find anyone with a bad word to say about her.

21) to make the best of a bad job → see best

bad blood → see blood

to be in someone's bad books → see book

bad luck → see luck

to get a bad press → see press

to go from bad to worse → see worse