What is a formal word for bad

How can you spell badly

Last updated: June 12, 2021 | Author: Jamie Runyon

What are the two meanings of bad?

1: something that is Poorly There is more good than Poorly in him. Take that with you Poorly. 2 : an evil or unfortunate state from which things went Poorly too worse. 3: Error detection 2 the fault was mine Poorly.

What does Bud mean?

(Entry 1 of 2) 1 : a small lateral or terminal protuberance on the stem of a plant that may develop into a flower, leaf, or shoot. 2 : something immature or in full development: such as a: an incompletely opened flower.

Is bad an informal word?

Poorly as an adverb occurs mainly in informal Context: Me neither Poorly on the exams. So he wants money Poorly it hurts. See also bad, good.

What word can replace poor?

SYNONYMS FOR poor

1 needy, poor, needy, afflicted, destitute, destitute, impoverished. 5 lean. 6 unsatisfactory, shabby. 7 barren, barren, barren, unproductive.

Is actually a formal word?

As Persian speakers we use “actual” and “actually” spoken and written. And it’s whole formally. We should help each other because it is the sign of our humanity.

What can we actually use instead?

actually

• Absolutely.
• as a matter of fact.
• literally.
• Yes, really.
• very.
• as a matter of fact.
• de facto.
• original.

What is a better word for has?

What is another word for has?

owns	owns
boasts	Has im holding
holds	entertains
carries	controls
enjoy	Has possession of

what is another word

other words for it

• aforementioned.
• well said.
• here.
• previously mentioned.
• the.
• the specified.
• the gift.

Is it bad to start a sentence with that?

First, let’s be clear that actual grammar rules as found in grammar books don’t forbid it start a sentence with the word this. The only possible origin of such a rule is the problem of the ambiguous antecedent. Depending on what the word refers to, some degree of clarity or confusion may be created.

What can I say instead means?

What is another word for it does this mean?

This means	that plays on
This implies	This indicates
that assumes	the intimate
this means	that suggests
this symbolizes

What can I say instead of these shows?

What is another word for these shows?

that confirms	This demonstrated
this notes	This explains
that debunks	This indicates
This proves	that reveals
that supports	that confirms

Is Most a transitional word?

after, after, before, then, once, next, last, finally, finally, first, second, etc., first, earlier, rarely, usually, another, finally, soon, meanwhile, at the same time, e.g. a minute, an hour , a day, etc., during the morning, day, week, etc., most important, later, usually, at the beginning, afterwards, generally

What is a good transition sentence?

What are the components of good transitional sentences? They make an explicit connection between ideas, sentencesand paragraphs. Good transitions use certain words. Try to avoid pronouns like “this” to refer to an entire idea, as it’s not always clear who or what “this” is referring to.

Is clear a transitional word?

Note that this paragraph required minimal use of transition words; they should not be forced to go where they do not belong.

transition words.

causality	emphasis	reinforcement
Consequently	Certainly	Likewise
That’s why	Clearly	Apparently
Consequently	As a matter of fact	Next to
Because of this	As a matter of fact	Equally important

But what else does it mean?

MateusLee replied that ‘but still‘ means ‘but anyway’ or ‘but even so’.

Can I replace but with but?

A common substitute to the ‘but‘ in academic writing is ‘however‘. but We use this adverb to show that a sentence is in contrast to something previously said. Therefore, rather than connecting two parts of a sentence, it should only be used after a semicolon or in a new sentence: I like Brian May’s guitar solos.

But can you replace that with ?

“still” can frequently substitute “but‘ in a sentence without Change everything else, since both are coordinating conjunctions can introduce contrast. Alternative, You could use one of these subordinating conjunctions: Although (e.g. I like Brian May, although I find his hair ridiculous.)

Should I use it or but?

So they have the same meaning, the same function as conjunctions. “still‘ sounds more formal than ‘but‘ so we tend to use it in a more formal situation. In most everyday situations we are use “but” to connect our ideas. It would sound too formal, too polite use “still‘ in most everyday conversations.

Is that the same?

‘but‘ and ‘still‘: As a conjunction’but‘ and ‘still‘ are interchangeable but not always. One is often substituted for the other to avoid repetition same Words.

In general, when someone says they feel bad, it’s expressing an emotion. The confusion here is due to the fact that feel is both an action verb and a linking verb.

A quick test on whether a verb is linking or an action verb is the am test.

In this sentences, you can replace feel with am.

«I feel bad» becomes «I am bad»

Since you can make the verb swap, you know that feel is a linking verb describing a state. Bad is an adjective, and you use adjectives to describe linking verbs.

When using badly in this form, you can’t replace feel with am.

«I feel badly» becomes «I am badly»

This swap doesn’t make any sense. Since you can’t make the swap, you know that feel is an action verb in that sentence; it’s describing an action.

In short, «I feel bad» describes a state of being, whereas the use of badly should be used to describe an action, such as «he smells badly».

Translingual[edit]

Symbol[edit]

bad

1. (international standards) ISO 639-2 & ISO 639-5 language code for Banda languages.

English[edit]

Pronunciation[edit]

• IPA^(key): /bæd/
• (General Australian) IPA^(key): /bæːd/
• (New Zealand) IPA^(key): /bɛd/
• (Wales) IPA^(key): /baːd/
• (æ-tensing) IPA^(key): /bɛəd/
• Rhymes: -æd

Etymology 1[edit]

From Middle English bad, badde (“wicked, evil, depraved”), of uncertain origin. Perhaps a shortening of Old English bæddel (“hermaphrodite”) (for loss of -el compare Middle English muche from Old English myċel, and Middle English wenche from Old English wenċel), or at least related to it and/or to bǣ̆dan (“to defile”), compare Old High German pad (“hermaphrodite”). Alternatively, perhaps a loan from Old Norse into Middle English, compare Norwegian bad (“effort, trouble, fear”, neuter noun), East Danish bad (“damage, destruction, fight”, neuter noun), from the Proto-Germanic noun *badą, whence also Proto-Germanic *badōn (“to frighten”), Old Saxon undarbadōn (“to frighten”), Norwegian Nynorsk bada (“to weigh down, press”)^[1].

Adjective[edit]

bad (comparative worse or (nonstandard) badder or (nonstandard) more bad, superlative worst or (nonstandard) baddest or (nonstandard) most bad)

1. Unfavorable; negative; not good.

   Synonyms: unfavorable, negative; see also Thesaurus:bad

   • 1918, W[illiam] B[abington] Maxwell, chapter X, in The Mirror and the Lamp, Indianapolis, Ind.: The Bobbs-Merrill Company, →OCLC:

     He looked round the poor room, at the distempered walls, and the bad engravings in meretricious frames, the crinkly paper and wax flowers on the chiffonier; and he thought of a room like Father Bryan’s, with panelling, with cut glass, with tulips in silver pots, such a room as he had hoped to have for his own.

   Hiring you was very bad for this company.

   The weather looks pretty bad right now.

   He is in a bad mood.

   You have very bad grades.

2. Not suitable or fitting.

   Synonyms: inappropriate, unfit; see also Thesaurus:unsuitable

   Do you think it is a bad idea to confront him directly?

3. Not appropriate, of manners etc.

   • 1913, Joseph C. Lincoln, chapter 7, in Mr. Pratt’s Patients:

     “ […] if you call my duds a ‘livery’ again there’ll be trouble. It’s bad enough to go around togged out like a life saver on a drill day, but I can stand that ’cause I’m paid for it. What I won’t stand is to have them togs called a livery. […] ”

   It is bad manners to talk with your mouth full.

4. Unhealthy; liable to cause health problems.

   Synonyms: unhealthful, unwholesome; see also Thesaurus:harmful

   Lard is bad for you. Smoking is bad for you, too. Grapes are bad for dogs but not for humans.

5. (chiefly applied to a person’s state of health) Sickly, unhealthy, unwell.

   Synonyms: ill, poorly, sickly; see also Thesaurus:ill

   Joe’s in a bad way; he can’t even get out of bed.

   I went to the hospital to see how my grandfather was doing. Unfortunately, he’s in a bad state.

   I’ve had a bad back since the accident.

6. (often childish) Not behaving; behaving badly; misbehaving; mischievous or disobedient.

   • 2014 August 28, Tom Armstrong, Marvin (comic):

     I can tell that new kid at our daycare is trouble […] He’s picking out his favorite corner to stand in when he’s bad.

   Stop being bad, or you will get a spanking!

7. Tricky; stressful; unpleasant.

   Synonyms: foul, loathsome; see also Thesaurus:unpleasant

   Divorce is usually a bad experience for everybody involved.

8. (sometimes childish) Evil; wicked.

   Synonyms: vile, vicious; see also Thesaurus:evil

   Be careful. There are bad people in the world.

9. Faulty; not functional.

   Synonyms: inoperative; see also Thesaurus:out of order

   I had a bad headlight.

10. (of food) Spoiled, rotten, overripe.

    Synonyms: rotten; see also Thesaurus:rotten

    These apples have gone bad.

11. (of breath) Malodorous; foul.

    Synonyms: see Thesaurus:malodorous

12. False; counterfeit; illegitimate.

    Synonyms: fake, spurious; see also Thesaurus:fake

    They were caught trying to pass bad coinage.

13. Unskilled; of limited ability; not good.

    Synonyms: bungling, inept; see also Thesaurus:unskilled

    I’m pretty bad at speaking French.

    He’s a bad gardener; everything he tries to grow ends up dying.

14. Of poor physical appearance.

    Synonyms: repulsive, unsightly; see also Thesaurus:ugly

    I look really bad whenever I get less than seven hours of sleep.

    I don’t look bad in this dress, do I?

15. (informal) Bold and daring.

    Synonyms: (slang) badass; see also Thesaurus:brave

17. (slang) Good, superlative, excellent, cool.

    Synonyms: see Thesaurus:good

    Man, that new car you bought is bad!

    You is bad, man!

    • 1986, Darryl McDaniels and Joseph Simmons (lyrics and music), “Peter Piper”, in Raising Hell, performed by Run-DMC:

      He’s the big bad wolf in your neighborhood / not bad meaning bad, but bad meaning good

    • 1994, N2Deep (lyrics), “Best Ever”, in 24-7-365, track 7:

      Man, that bitch was bad—it was the best piece of pussy that I ever had.

18. (of a need, want, or pain) Severe, urgent.

    Synonyms: dire; see also Thesaurus:urgent

    He is in bad need of a haircut.
19. (US, slang) Overly promiscuous, licentious.

    Synonyms: see Thesaurus:promiscuous

    • 2005, Jordan Houston, Darnell Carlton, Paul Beauregard, Premro Smith, Marlon Goodwin, David Brown, and Willie Hutchinson (lyrics), “Stay Fly”, in Most Known Unknown‎^[1], Sony BMG, performed by Three 6 Mafia (featuring Young Buck, 8 Ball, and MJG):

      You leave your girl around me; if she’s bad she’s gonna get stuck.

20. (originally African-American Vernacular, slang, of a woman) Very attractive; hot, sexy.

    Hopefully I can pull some bad bitches tonight.

21. (slang, of a draft/check) Not covered by funds on account.

    Synonyms: rubber, hot

Synonyms[edit]

Antonyms[edit]

Derived terms[edit]

Translations[edit]

See also[edit]

Adverb[edit]

bad (comparative worse, superlative worst)

1. (now colloquial) Badly.

   I didn’t do too bad in the last exam.

   • 1969, Lennon–McCartney (lyrics and music), “I Want You (She’s So Heavy)”, in Abbey Road, performed by The Beatles:

     I want you / I want you so bad, it’s driving me mad

Translations[edit]

Noun[edit]

bad (plural bads)

1. Something that is bad; a harm or evil.
   • 2001, Ann Belford Ulanov, Finding Space: Winnicott, God, and Psychic Reality (page 59)

     We idealize God as supergoodness in order to protect against a bad that we cannot unite with ourselves.

2. (slang, with possessive determiner) Error; mistake.

   • 1993, Mitch Albom, Fab five: basketball, trash talk, the American dream‎^[2]:

     «My bad, My bad!” Juwan yelled, scowling

   • 2003, Zane, Skyscraper, page 7:

     “Chico, you’re late again.” I turned around and stared him in his beady eyes. “I missed my bus. My bad, Donald.” “Your bad? Your bad? What kind of English is that?

   • 2008, Camika Spencer, Cubicles, page 68:

     Teresa broke out in laughter. “Dang, I sound like I’m talking to my man.” “I tried your cell phone, but you didn’t answer.” “I left it at home, Friday. My bad.” “Yeah, your bad.” I laughed. “Really, I’m sorry. It won’t happen again.

3. (countable, uncountable, economics) An item (or kind of item) of merchandise with negative value; an unwanted good.

   • 2011, Thompson, Henry, International Economics: Global Markets and Competition, 3rd edition, World Scientific, page 97:

     Imports are an economic good but exports an economic bad. Exports must be produced but are enjoyed by foreign consumers.

   • 2011, William J. Boyes, Michael Melvin, Economics, 9th edition, Cengage Learning, page 4:

     An economic bad is anything that you would pay to get rid of. It is not so hard to think of examples of bads: pollution, garbage, and disease fit the description.

Translations[edit]

Interjection[edit]

bad

1. Used to scold a misbehaving child or pet.

Translations[edit]

References[edit]

Etymology 2[edit]

From Middle English bad, from Old English bæd, first and third-person singular indicative past tense of biddan (“to ask”).

Verb[edit]

bad

1. (archaic) alternative past of bid. See bade.

Etymology 3[edit]

Unknown

Verb[edit]

bad (third-person singular simple present bads, present participle badding, simple past and past participle badded)

1. (Britain, dialect, transitive) To shell (a walnut).
   • 1876, The Gloucester Journal, Oct. 7, 1876, reported in A. Gregory, “Gloucestershire Dialect,” Notes and Queries, 5th ser., 6, 148 (1876‑10‑28): 346

     A curious specimen of Gloucestershire dialect came out in an assault case heard by the Gloucester court magistrates on Saturday. One of the witnesses, speaking of what a girl was doing at the time the assault took place, said she was ‘badding’ walnuts in a pigstye. The word is peculiarly provincial: to ‘bad’ walnuts is to strip away the husk. The walnut, too, is often called a ‘bannut,’ and hence the old Gloucestershire phrase, ‘Come an’ bad the bannuts.’

Anagrams[edit]

• ABD, ADB, Abd., BDA, D.B.A., DAB, DBA, abd., d/b/a, dab, dba

Afar[edit]

Etymology[edit]

From Proto-Cushitic. Cognates include Somali bád and Saho bad.

Pronunciation[edit]

• IPA^(key): /ˈbʌd/
• Hyphenation: bad

Noun[edit]

bád m (plural badoodá f)

1. lake, sea, ocean

Declension[edit]

Declension of bád
absolutive	bád
predicative	báda
subjective	bád
genitive	baddí
Postpositioned forms l-case bádal k-case bádak t-case bádat h-case bádah

Derived terms[edit]

References[edit]

• E. M. Parker; R. J. Hayward (1985), “bad”, in An Afar-English-French dictionary (with Grammatical Notes in English), University of London, →ISBN
• Mohamed Hassan Kamil (2004) Parlons Afar: Langue et Culture, L’Hammartan, →ISBN, page 35

Afrikaans[edit]

Pronunciation[edit]

• IPA^(key): [bɑt]

Noun[edit]

bad (plural baddens, diminutive badjie)

1. bath

[edit]

• baaie

References[edit]

• 2007. The UCLA Phonetics Lab Archive. Los Angeles, CA: UCLA Department of Linguistics.

Danish[edit]

Etymology 1[edit]

From Old Norse bað, Proto-Germanic *baþą (“bath”), cognate with English bath and German Bad.

Pronunciation[edit]

• IPA^(key): [ˈb̥að]
• Rhymes: -ad

Noun[edit]

bad n (singular definite badet, plural indefinite bade)

1. bath, shower, swim
2. bathroom

Inflection[edit]

Etymology 2[edit]

See the etymology of the corresponding lemma form.

Pronunciation[edit]

• IPA^(key): [ˈb̥æˀð], [ˈb̥æðˀ]

Verb[edit]

bad

1. past tense of bede

Etymology 3[edit]

See the etymology of the corresponding lemma form.

Pronunciation[edit]

• IPA^(key): [ˈb̥æˀð], [ˈb̥æðˀ]

Verb[edit]

bad

1. imperative of bade

Dutch[edit]

Pronunciation[edit]

• IPA^(key): /bɑt/
• Hyphenation: bad
• Rhymes: -ɑt
• Homophone: Bath

Etymology 1[edit]

From Middle Dutch bat, from Old Dutch *bath, from Proto-Germanic *baþą.

Noun[edit]

bad n (plural baden, diminutive badje n)

1. bath (object)
2. the act or process of bathing
3. immersion

Derived terms[edit]

[edit]

• baden

Descendants[edit]

• Afrikaans: bad
• Negerhollands: bad, bat
• →? Sranan Tongo: bat

Etymology 2[edit]

See the etymology of the corresponding lemma form.

Verb[edit]

bad

1. singular past indicative of bidden

Gothic[edit]

Romanization[edit]

bad

1. Romanization of 𐌱𐌰𐌳

Indonesian[edit]

Etymology[edit]

From Persian باد‎ (bâd, “wind”).

Pronunciation[edit]

• IPA^(key): /ˈbat̚/

Noun[edit]

bad (first-person possessive badku, second-person possessive badmu, third-person possessive badnya)

1. (archaic) wind

   Synonym: angin

[edit]

Further reading[edit]

• “bad” in Kamus Besar Bahasa Indonesia, Jakarta: Language Development and Fostering Agency — Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology of the Republic Indonesia, 2016.

Lushootseed[edit]

Noun[edit]

bad

1. father

Maltese[edit]

Root
b-j-d
17 terms

Pronunciation[edit]

• IPA^(key): /baːt/

Verb[edit]

bad (imperfect jbid, past participle mibjud, verbal noun bidien)

1. Alternative form of bied

Conjugation[edit]

Conjugation of bad
	singular		plural
	1st person	2nd person	3rd person	1st person	2nd person	3rd person
perfect	m	b{{{4}}}dt	b{{{4}}}dt	bad	b{{{4}}}dna	b{{{4}}}dtu	badu
f	badet
imperfect	m	nbid	tbid	jbid	nbidu	tbidu	jbidu
f	tbid
imperative			bid			bidu

Norwegian Bokmål[edit]

Etymology 1[edit]

From Old Norse bað, from Proto-Germanic *baþą (“bath”).

Noun[edit]

bad n (definite singular badet, indefinite plural bad, definite plural bada or badene)

1. a bath

   et varmt bad — a hot bath

2. a bathroom (see also baderom)

Derived terms[edit]

• blodbad
• boblebad

[edit]

• bade

Etymology 2[edit]

Alternative forms[edit]

• (of be) ba

Verb[edit]

bad

1. imperative of bade
2. simple past of be
3. simple past of bede

References[edit]

• “bad” in The Bokmål Dictionary.

Norwegian Nynorsk[edit]

Etymology 1[edit]

From Old Norse bað.

Pronunciation[edit]

• IPA^(key): /bɑːd/

Noun[edit]

bad n (definite singular badet, indefinite plural bad, definite plural bada)

1. a bath

   eit varmt bad — a hot bath

2. a bathroom

Synonyms[edit]

• (bathroom): baderom

Derived terms[edit]

• blodbad
• boblebad

Etymology 2[edit]

Pronunciation[edit]

• IPA^(key): /bɑː/

Verb[edit]

bad

1. past of be

References[edit]

• “bad” in The Nynorsk Dictionary.

Old English[edit]

Pronunciation[edit]

• IPA^(key): /bɑːd/

Etymology 1[edit]

From Proto-West Germanic *baidu, from Proto-Germanic *baidō.

Noun[edit]

bād f

1. waiting; expectation
2. something distrained; pledge, stake

Declension[edit]

Derived terms[edit]

• *ābād
• nīedbād

[edit]

• ābīdan
• bīdan

Descendants[edit]

• Middle English: bade, bode, baide
  • English: bode
  • Scots: bade, baid

Etymology 2[edit]

Verb[edit]

bād

1. first/third-person singular preterite of bīdan

Old Irish[edit]

Alternative forms[edit]

• bed

Pronunciation[edit]

• IPA^(key): /bað/

Verb[edit]

bad

1. inflection of is:
   1. third-person singular past subjunctive
   2. third-person singular/second-person plural imperative

Mutation[edit]

Old Irish mutation
Radical	Lenition	Nasalization
bad	bad pronounced with /v(ʲ)-/	mbad
Note: Some of these forms may be hypothetical. Not every possible mutated form of every word actually occurs.

Palauan[edit]

Etymology[edit]

From Pre-Palauan *baðu, from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *batu, from Proto-Austronesian *batu. Cognate with Kavalan btu,Tagalog bato, Malay batu, Maori whatu.

Pronunciation[edit]

• IPA^(key): /bað/

Noun[edit]

bad

1. stone; rock

Polish[edit]

Etymology[edit]

Borrowed from German Bad, from Middle High German, from Old High German bad, from Proto-West Germanic *baþ, from Proto-Germanic *baþą. English bath.

Pronunciation[edit]

• IPA^(key): /bat/
• Rhymes: -at
• Syllabification: bad
• Homophone: bat

Noun[edit]

bad m inan

1. (dated) health resort

   Synonym: kurort

Declension[edit]

Further reading[edit]

• bad in Wielki słownik języka polskiego, Instytut Języka Polskiego PAN
• bad in Polish dictionaries at PWN

Scottish Gaelic[edit]

Etymology[edit]

Probably borrowed from Pictish [Term?]. Compare Breton bod (“cluster, bunch of grapes, thicket”).

Noun[edit]

bad m (genitive singular baid, plural badan)

1. place, spot
2. tuft, bunch
3. flock, group
4. thicket, clump (of trees)

Synonyms[edit]

• (place): spot

Derived terms[edit]

• anns a’ bhad
• reul-bhad

Somali[edit]

Noun[edit]

bad ?

1. sea

Sumerian[edit]

Romanization[edit]

bad

1. Romanization of 𒁁 (bad)

Swedish[edit]

Etymology[edit]

From Old Swedish badh, from Old Norse bað, from Proto-Germanic *baþą, from the zero-grade of Proto-Indo-European *bʰeh₁-.

Pronunciation[edit]

• IPA^(key): /bɑːd/
• Rhymes: -ɑːd

Noun[edit]

bad n

1. a bath, the act of bathing
2. a bath, a place for bathing (badplats, badhus)

Declension[edit]

Declension of bad
	Singular	Plural
Indefinite	Definite	Indefinite	Definite
Nominative	bad	badet	bad	baden
Genitive	bads	badets	bads	badens

[edit]

• bada
• badkar
• badrum
• havsbad
• kallbad
• karbad
• varmbad
• vinterbad
• ångbad

Verb[edit]

bad

1. past tense of be.
2. past tense of bedja.

References[edit]

• bad in Svenska Akademiens ordlista (SAOL)

Volapük[edit]

Noun[edit]

bad (nominative plural bads)

1. evil, badness

Declension[edit]

See also[edit]

• badik
• badiko

Welsh[edit]

Pronunciation[edit]

• IPA^(key): /baːd/
• Rhymes: -aːd

Etymology 1[edit]

From Old English bāt.

Noun[edit]

bad m (plural badau)

1. boat

   Synonyms: cwch, llong

Derived terms[edit]

Etymology 2[edit]

Noun[edit]

bad f (uncountable)

1. plague, pestilence

   Synonyms: pla, haint

Derived terms[edit]

• y fad fawr (“the Great Plague”)

Mutation[edit]

Welsh mutation
radical	soft	nasal	aspirate
bad	fad	mad	unchanged
Note: Some of these forms may be hypothetical. Not every possible mutated form of every word actually occurs.

Proper use of certain English adjective and adverb forms of a word can be elusive because of what they describe. One such pair is bad and badly.

The word bad is an adjective that modifies nouns and pronouns: She was in a bad accident.

The word badly is an adverb that conveys the manner or degree of a verb’s action: She was hurt badly in the accident.

Bad vs. Badly: Why the Mix-Up?

Confusion about the two words typically arises when they accompany the sensory linking verbs taste, look, smell, and feel.

When we use these verbs actively, we should follow them with adverbs. (Hear is always used actively.)

When we use these verbs descriptively, we should follow them with adjectives.

Examples
I feel bad about having said that. (I am not feeling something physically but rather describing something emotionally, so the adjective bad is used.)

She feels badly since her fingers were burned. (She is feeling something physically with her fingers, so the adverb form is used.)

The same interpretations of adjectives and adverbs apply with the other linking verbs mentioned.

Examples
The mask he wore made him look suspicious to the police. (He did not look with his eyes; look describes his appearance so the adjective is used.)
She looked suspiciously at the $100 bill. (Her appearance is not being described; she looked with her eyes so the adverb is needed.)

Because Richard had such a bad cold, all food tasted poor to him. (Poor describes the taste of the food so the adjective is used.)
Richard’s bad cold caused him to taste food poorly. (Poorly modifies the physical tasting of food so the adverb is needed.)

The perfume Janine is wearing smells strong. (Strong describes the perfume so the adjective is used.)
Janine can smell scents so strongly you’d almost think she has a dog’s nose. (Quickly relates to the physical act of smelling so the adverb is needed.)

Bad vs. Badly: A Note on Current-Day Usage

GrammarBook.com aims to maintain distinctions that uphold more-precise usage and meaning in American English. At the same time, we recognize that some resources for style guidance adapt to contemporary tendencies. Merriam-Webster online, for example, currently accepts bad as an informal, colloquial form of badly, thereby making the words interchangeable: “bad: badly (doesn’t want it bad enough).”

The American Heritage Dictionary further explains that the use of badly with want and need was once considered incorrect, since in these cases it means “very much” rather than “in an inferior manner or condition” or “immorally.” Today, however, such usage is prevalent even in formal contexts and so considered standard.

Consequently, we acknowledge that bad and badly can both be used as adverbs with verbs of strong emotion (e.g., want, need) although we prefer differentiating them for greater precision.

Pop Quiz

1. Please don’t feel [bad / badly] about forgetting to call me.
2. Loretta wants the new kitchen-table set [bad / badly].
3. That coyote is looking at us [bad / badly].
4. You probably shouldn’t have baked the cake so long, because it smells really [bad / badly] now.
5. David says his Denver omelet tastes [bad / badly] so he’s going to ask them to make it again.

Pop Quiz Answers

1. Please don’t feel bad about forgetting to call me.
2. Loretta wants the new kitchen-table set bad (or badly).
3. That coyote is looking at us badly.
4. You probably shouldn’t have baked the cake so long, because it smells really bad now.
5. David says his Denver omelet tastes bad so he’s going to ask them to make it again.

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Go to Preferences page and choose from different actions for taps or mouse clicks. Inflections of ‘bad‘ (adj): worse adj comparative worst adj superlative WordReference Random House Learner’s Dictionary of American English © 2023 bad1 /bæd/USA pronunciation   adj., worse/wɜrs/USA pronunciation  worst /wɜrst/USA pronunciation ; (Slang  ) bad•der, bad•dest for 16; n., adv.  adj. not good in any manner or degree:bad traffic. wicked or evil in character:the bad witch. of low or inferior quality; deficient:bad roads. disobedient or naughty:She was a very bad girl today. inaccurate; incorrect: a bad guess. causing injury or harm: Sugar is bad for the teeth. suffering from sickness, pain, or injury:He was so bad yesterday that he stayed in bed. diseased, decayed, or weakened: a bad heart. spoiled or rotten:The milk has gone bad. disagreeable; unpleasant: bad dreams. severe; intense: a bad flood. regretful, sorry, sad, or upset: He felt bad about leaving. showing or having a lack of skill or ability:What a bad actor! [ be + ~ + at]:I was really bad at drawing. unfortunate or unfavorable: bad news. [before a noun] (of a debt) unlikely to be paid and so treated as a loss:bad loans. Slang TermsSlang. outstandingly good; first-rate: He is one bad drummer. n. [uncountable] something that is bad:to take the bad with the good. adv. [Informal.]badly: She wanted it bad enough to steal it. Idioms Idioms badly or bad off, poor; destitute:They were badly off during the Depression. Idioms in a bad way, in severe trouble or distress:She’s in a bad way now. Idioms not (half, so, or too) bad, somewhat good; tolerable:not half bad for a first effort. Idioms too bad: (used to express regret or disappointment):You didn’t pass? Oh, that’s too bad. (used to express impatience or lack of concern ):You don’t like it here? Too bad. bad•ness, n. [uncountable] You can use the adjective bad, meaning «unpleasant, unattractive, unfavorable, spoiled, etc.,» after such verbs as sound, smell, look, and taste: The music sounds bad.The locker room smells bad. You look pretty bad; are you sick? After the rainstorm the water tasted bad. After the verb feel, you can also use the adjective badly when describing physical or emotional states: She was feeling badly that day. That use is considered standard, although bad is more common in formal writing. bad as an adverb appears mainly in informal situations: He wanted it pretty bad. See also badly, good. WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2023 bad1  (bad),USA pronunciation adj., worse, worst;  (Slang) bad•der, bad•dest for 36; n.; adv.  adj. not good in any manner or degree. having a wicked or evil character; morally reprehensible:There is no such thing as a bad boy. of poor or inferior quality; defective; deficient:a bad diamond; a bad spark plug. inadequate or below standard; not satisfactory for use:bad heating; Living conditions in some areas are very bad. inaccurate, incorrect, or faulty:a bad guess. invalid, unsound, or false:a bad insurance claim; bad judgment. causing or liable to cause sickness or ill health; injurious or harmful:Too much sugar is bad for your teeth. suffering from sickness, ill health, pain, or injury; sick; ill:He felt bad from eating the green apples. not healthy or in good physical condition; diseased, decayed, or physically weakened:A bad heart kept him out of the army. tainted, spoiled, or rotten, esp. to the point of being inedible:The meat is bad because you left it out of the refrigerator too long. having a disastrous or detrimental effect, result, or tendency; unfavorable:The drought is bad for the farmers. His sloppy appearance made a bad impression. causing or characterized by discomfort, inconvenience, uneasiness, or annoyance; disagreeable; unpleasant:I had a bad flight to Chicago. easily provoked to anger; irascible:a bad temper. cross, irritable, or surly:If I don’t have my morning coffee, I’m in a bad mood all day. more uncomfortable, persistent, painful, or dangerous than usual; severe:a bad attack of asthma. causing or resulting in disaster or severe damage or destruction:a bad flood. regretful, contrite, dejected, or upset:He felt bad about having to leave the children all alone. disobedient, naughty, or misbehaving:If you’re bad at school, you’ll go to bed without supper. disreputable or dishonorable:He’s getting a bad name from changing jobs so often. displaying a lack of skill, talent, proficiency, or judgment:a bad painting; Bad drivers cause most of the accidents. causing distress; unfortunate or unfavorable:I’m afraid I have bad news for you. not suitable or appropriate; disadvantageous or dangerous:It was a bad day for fishing. inclement; considered too stormy, hot, cold, etc.:We had a bad winter with a lot of snow. disagreeable or offensive to the senses:a bad odor. exhibiting a lack of artistic sensitivity:The room was decorated in bad taste. not in keeping with a standard of behavior or conduct; coarse:bad manners. Linguistics(of a word, speech, or writing) vulgar, obscene, or blasphemous:bad language. not properly observing rules or customs of grammar, usage, spelling, etc.; incorrect:He speaks bad English. unattractive, esp. because of a lack of pleasing proportions:She has a bad figure. (of the complexion) marred by defects; pockmarked or pimply; blemished:bad skin. not profitable or worth the price paid:The land was a bad buy. Communications, Businessdeemed uncollectible or irrecoverable and treated as a loss:a bad debt. ill-spent; wasted:Don’t throw good money after bad money. counterfeit; not genuine:There was a bad ten-dollar bill in with the change. having the character of a villain; villainous:In the movies the good guys always beat the bad guys. Sportfailing to land within the in-bounds limits of a court or section of a court; missing the mark; not well aimed. Slang Termsoutstandingly excellent; first-rate:He’s a bad man on drums, and the fans love him. Idiomsin a bad way, in severe trouble or distress. Idioms not bad: tolerably good; not without merit:The dinner wasn’t bad, but I’ve had better. not difficult:Once you know geometry, trigonometry isn’t bad.Also, not so bad, not too bad.  Idioms too bad, unfortunate or disappointing:It’s too bad that he didn’t go to college. n. that which is bad:You have to take the bad with the good. a bad condition, character, or quality:His health seemed to go from bad to worse. (used with a pl. v.) evil persons collectively (usually prec. by the):The bad are always stirring up trouble. Idioms go to the bad, to deteriorate physically or morally; go to ruin:She wept at seeing her son go to the bad. in bad, [Informal.] in trouble or distress. in disfavor:He’s in bad with his father-in-law. Idioms to the bad, in arrears:He’s $100 to the bad on his debt. adv. Informal. badly:He wanted it bad enough to steal it. Idioms bad off, in poor or distressed condition or circumstances; destitute:His family has been pretty bad off since he lost his job.Also, badly off. Cf. well-off. Middle English badde, perh. akin to Old English bæddel hermaphrodite, bædling womanish man 1250–1300 bad′ness, n.  2.See corresponding entry in Unabridged depraved, corrupt, base, sinful, criminal, atrocious. Bad, evil, ill, wicked are closest in meaning in reference to that which is lacking in moral qualities or is actually vicious and reprehensible. Bad is the broadest and simplest term:a bad man; bad habits.Evil applies to that which violates or leads to the violation of moral law:evil practices.Ill now appears mainly in certain fixed expressions, with a milder implication than that in evil:ill will; ill-natured.Wicked implies willful and determined doing of what is very wrong:a wicked plan. 10.See corresponding entry in Unabridged putrefied. 21.See corresponding entry in Unabridged adverse, unlucky, unhappy. The adjective bad meaning «unpleasant, unattractive, unfavorable, spoiled, etc.,» is the usual form to follow such copulative verbs as sound, smell, look, and taste: After the rainstorm the water tasted bad. The coach says the locker room smells bad. After the copulative verb feel, the adjective badly in reference to physical or emotional states is also used and is standard, although bad is more common in formal writing:I feel bad from overeating.She felt badly about her friend’s misfortune.When the adverbial use is required, badly is standard with all verbs:She reacted badly to the criticism.Bad as an adverb appears mainly in informal contexts:I didn’t do too bad on the tests.He wants money so bad it hurts.See also badly, good.  bad2  (bad),USA pronunciation v. [Archaic.] a pt. of bid.  bad,1 +n. my bad, My fault! My mistake! Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers:: bad /bæd/ adj (worse, worst) not good; of poor quality; inadequate; inferior (often followed by at) lacking skill or talent; incompetent: a bad painter, bad at sports (often followed by for) harmful immoral; evil naughty; mischievous; disobedient rotten; decayed; spoiled: a bad egg severe; intense: a bad headache incorrect; wrong; faulty: bad pronunciation ill or in pain (esp in the phrase feel bad) regretful, sorry, or upset (esp in the phrase feel bad about) unfavourable; distressing: bad news, a bad business offensive; unpleasant; disagreeable: bad language, bad temper not valid or sound; void: a bad cheque not recoverable: a bad debt (badder, baddest) slang good; excellent go from bad to worse ⇒ to deteriorate even more go bad ⇒ to putrefy; spoil in a bad way ⇒ informal seriously ill, through sickness or injury in trouble of any kind make the best of a bad job ⇒ to manage as well as possible in unfavourable circumstances not bad, not so bad ⇒ informal passable; fair; fairly good too bad ⇒ informal (often used dismissively) regrettable n unfortunate or unpleasant events collectively (often in the phrase take the bad with the good) an immoral or degenerate state (often in the phrase go to the bad) the debit side of an account: £200 to the bad adv not standard badly: to want something bad Etymology: 13th Century: probably from bæd-, as the first element of Old English bǣddel hermaphrodite, bǣdling sodomite ˈbaddish adj ˈbadness n bad /bæd/ vb a variant of bade WordReference Random House Learner’s Dictionary of American English © 2023 bade /bæd/USA pronunciation   v.  a pt. of bid. WordReference Random House Learner’s Dictionary of American English © 2023 bid1 /bɪd/USA pronunciation   v., bade /bæd/USA pronunciation  or bid, bid•den or bid, bid•ding, n.  v. to command (someone to do something): [~ + object (+ to ) + verb]The king bade them (to) rise and speak freely.[~ + object]Do as I bid you.[no object]Do as I bid. to say as a greeting, wish, etc.: [~ + object + object]She bid him goodnight.[~ + object + to + object]We bid a warm welcome to our distinguished visitors. Businessto offer (a certain sum) as the price one will charge or pay: [~ + object (+ for + object)]They bid $25,000 (for the job) and got the contract.[no object* (~ + for + object)]I can’t bid (for that vase); I don’t have enough money. Games to enter a bid of (a given quantity or suit at cards):[~ + object]When my bridge partner bid six diamonds my heart nearly stopped beating. n. [countable] an act or instance of bidding. Games an offer to make a specified number of points or to take a specified number of card tricks:My bid was for five hearts. the turn of a person to bid:Wait; it’s my bid. an invitation: a bid to join a club. an attempt to attain some purpose:made a bid for the nomination. bid•der, n. [countable] WordReference Random House Learner’s Dictionary of American English © 2023 worse /wɜrs/USA pronunciation   adj., comparative of  bad and ill. bad or ill to a greater extent; inferior:Your score is worse on this test than on yesterday’s. more unfavorable or injurious. in poorer health:The patient is worse than yesterday. n. [uncountable* usually: the + ~] something that is worse:a turn for the worse. adv. in a worse manner:The class behaved worse than ever just when the principal came in. to a worse degree:I feel much worse than yesterday. WordReference Random House Learner’s Dictionary of American English © 2023 worst /wɜrst/USA pronunciation   adj., superlative of bad and ill. bad or ill in the most extreme degree; most faulty or unsatisfactory:the worst job I’ve ever seen. most unpleasant, unattractive, or disagreeable. least efficient or skilled:The worst drivers in the country come from that state. n. [uncountable* usually: the + ~] something that is worst:Prepare for the worst. adv. in the worst manner. in the greatest degree. v. [~ + object] to defeat; beat. Idioms Idioms at (the) worst, under the worst conditions. Idioms if worst comes to worst, if the very worst happens. Idioms in the worst way, very much; extremely:He needs praise in the worst way. WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2023 bade  (bad),USA pronunciation v.  a pt. of bid.  WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2023 bid1  (bid),USA pronunciation v., bade or (Archaic) bad for 1, 2, 5, 6, 8 or bid for 3, 4, 7, 9, 10; bid•den or bid for 1, 2, 5, 6, 8 or bid for 3, 4, 7, 9; bid•ding;  n.  v.t. to command; order; direct:to bid them depart. to express (a greeting, farewell, benediction, or wish):to bid good night. Business[Com.]to offer (a certain sum) as the price one will pay or charge:They bid $25,000 and got the contract. Games[Cards.]to enter a bid of (a given quantity or suit):to bid two no-trump. to summon by invitation; invite. v.i. to command; order; direct:I will do as you bid. to make a bid:She bid at the auction for the old chair. Idioms bid fair. See fair 1 (def. 23). Business bid in, [Com.]to overbid all offers for (property) at an auction in order to retain ownership. Business bid up, [Com.]to increase the market price of by increasing bids. n. an act or instance of bidding. Games[Cards.] an offer to make a specified number of points or to take a specified number of tricks. the amount of such an offer. the turn of a person to bid. an invitation:a bid to join the club. an attempt to attain some goal or purpose:a bid for election. Stock Exchange, BusinessAlso called bid price. the highest price a prospective buyer is willing to pay for a security at a given moment. Indo-European *bhidh-) command, akin to Greek peíthein to persuade, inspire with trust, English bide Gmc *bid-ja- ( bef. 900; Middle English bidden, Old English biddan to beg, ask; cognate with Old Frisian bidda, Old Saxon biddian, Old High German bittan (German bitten), Old Norse bithja, Gothic bidjan; all bid′der, n.  1.See corresponding entry in Unabridged charge; require, enjoin. 3.See corresponding entry in Unabridged offer, tender, proffer. 11.See corresponding entry in Unabridged offer, proposal; proffer. bid2  (bid),USA pronunciation v. [Archaic.] pp. of bide.  B.I.D., Bachelor of Industrial Design. b.i.d., Drugs(in prescriptions) twice a day. Latin bis in diē WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2023 worse  (wûrs),USA pronunciation adj., [comparative of] bad [and] ill.  bad or ill in a greater or higher degree; inferior in excellence, quality, or character. more unfavorable or injurious. in less good condition; in poorer health. n. that which is worse. adv. in a more evil, wicked, severe, or disadvantageous manner. with more severity, intensity, etc.; in a greater degree. bef. 900; Middle English (adjective, adjectival, adverb, adverbial, and noun, nominal); Old English wiersa (comparative adjective, adjectival), wiers (adverb, adverbial); cognate with Old Norse verri, Gothic wairsiza; see war2 WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2023 worst  (wûrst),USA pronunciation adj., [superlative 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. Informal Terms in the worst way, in an extreme degree; very much:She wanted a new robe for Christmas in the worst way.Also, the worst way.  n. that which is 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. adv. in the most evil, wicked, severe, or disadvantageous manner. with the most severity, intensity, etc.; in the greatest degree. v.t. to defeat; beat:He worsted him easily. bef. 900; Middle English worste (adjective, adjectival, adverb, adverbial, and noun, nominal), Old English wur(re)sta, wyr(re)st, wer(re)sta (adjective, adjectival and adverb, adverbial); cognate with Old Norse verstr; see worse, —est1 Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers:: bade /bæd; beɪd/, bad vb past tense of bid Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers:: bid /bɪd/ vb (bids, bidding, bad, bade, (esp for senses 1, 2, 5, 7) bid, bidden, (esp for senses 1, 2, 5, 7) bid) often followed by for or against: to offer (an amount) in attempting to buy something, esp in competition with others as at an auction to respond to an offer by a seller by stating (the more favourable terms) on which one is willing to make a purchase (transitive) to say (a greeting, blessing, etc): to bid farewell to order; command: do as you are bid! (intransitive) usually followed by for: to attempt to attain power, etc to declare in the auction before play how many tricks one expects to make bid defiance ⇒ to resist boldly bid fair ⇒ to seem probable n an offer of a specified amount, as at an auction the price offered a statement by a buyer, in response to an offer by a seller, of the more favourable terms that would be acceptable the price or other terms so stated an attempt, esp an attempt to attain power the number of tricks a player undertakes to make a player’s turn to make a bid See also bid upEtymology: Old English biddan; related to German bitten ˈbidder n ‘bad‘ also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):

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