Language Research

worse · adjective

/wɜrs/Full view

worse

A2 (comparative of bad) more unpleasant or difficult than something else that is also bad

Dictionary examples:

The test was worse than I expected.

His behavior is even worse than his sister's.

The heat is much worse in the daytime.

Learner example:

It takes me more than one hour to get to work every day. In the evening it is even worse. (Skills for Life (Entry 3); B1; Spanish)

get worse

B1 to become more ill, unpleasant, difficult, severe, etc. than before

Dictionary examples:

My cold seems to be getting worse.

If the rain gets any worse, we'll have to stop walking.

Learner example:

I thought, it couldn't get worse. (Preliminary English Test; B1; German)

worse and worse

B2 used to emphasize how unpleasant, difficult, severe, etc. something is becoming

Dictionary example:

The economic climate is getting worse and worse.

Learner example:

As we know because of the development of factories and businesses all over the world the air that we are using is getting worse and worse. (First Certificate in English; B2; Polish)

worse · noun U

/wɜrs/

worse

C1 something that is more unpleasant or difficult

Dictionary examples:

"How was the movie?" "I’ve seen worse."

By the third month of the expedition they had endured many hardships, but worse was to follow.

Learner example:

Going down the cliff was hard, but they had seen worse. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Greek)

worse · adverb

/wɜrs/

worse

B1 comparative of badly

Dictionary examples:

He did worse than he was expecting to on his driving test.

He was treated much worse than I was.

to make matters worse

B2 to make a situation more difficult, unpleasant, etc.

Dictionary example:

To make matters worse, our car broke down!

Learner example:

To make matters worse, the newspaper said they only played for thirty-five minutes. (First Certificate in English; B2; Thai)