worst

Etymology

From Middle English worste, wurste, warste, werste, wirste, from Old English wierrest, from Proto-Germanic *wirsistaz, superlative form of *ubilaz (“bad, evil”). Cognate with Old Saxon wirsista, wirrista (“worst”), Old High German wirst, wirsesto, wirsisto (“worst”), Danish værst (“worst”), Swedish värst (“worst”), Icelandic verstur (“worst”).

adj

1. superlative form of bad: most bad
   1. Most inferior; doing the least good.
      I think putting oil on a burn is the worst thing you can do.
   2. Most unfavorable.
      That's the worst news I've had all day.
   3. Most harmful or severe.
      The worst storm we had last winter knocked down our power lines.
   4. Used with the definite article and an implied noun: something that is worst.
      None of these photographs of me are good, but this one is definitely the worst.
2. superlative form of ill: most ill
   I'm feeling really ill — the worst I've felt all week.

noun

1. Something or someone that is the worst.
   The humorist helps people to explore and confront their worsts 1991, Don C. Dinkmeyer, Jr., The Encouragement Book: Becoming a Positive Person, page 201

adv

1. superlative form of badly: most badly
   My sore leg hurts worst when it's cold and rainy.
   This is the worst-written essay I've ever seen.
   She's the worst-informed of the lot.
2. superlative form of ill: most ill

verb

1. (archaic, transitive) To make worse.
2. (dated, intransitive) To grow worse; to deteriorate.
3. (rare) To outdo or defeat, especially in battle.