Cool MateBadly vs Terribly
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Badly
Top 2,000 (common)A2adverb
Terribly
Top 2,000 (common)B2adverb
| Badly | Terribly | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈbædli/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈbædli/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈterəbli/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈterəbli/"]/ |
| Meaning | In a way that is not good or not right. | Very badly or extremely. |
| Example | He sings badly, but he enjoys it. | I'm terribly sorry—did I hurt you? |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | A2 | B2 |
| Part of speech | adverb | adverb |
| Collocations | perform badly, work badly, behave badly | terribly wrong, terribly sorry, terribly afraid, terribly upset |
| Antonyms | well, adequately, efficiently | wonderfully, fantastically, nicely |
| Common mistakes | 'Bad' vs 'badly': Confusing the adjective (bad) with the adverb (badly)., Using 'badly' with nouns instead of verbs., Saying 'bad' when needing to describe manner; should use 'badly'. | Using 'terribly' with positive contexts (e.g., 'terribly good' instead of 'really good')., Confusing 'terribly' with 'terrific' which has the opposite meaning., Omitting it when making a strong negative statement. |
| Usage notes | Use 'badly' to describe how something is done poorly. It's appropriate in most casual contexts but can feel less formal. Avoid when the tone is serious, where alternatives like 'inadequately' might be better. | Use 'terribly' to emphasize a negative situation or quality. It's common in both spoken and written English but avoid in formal contexts. For example, 'I felt terribly tired.' |
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Frequently asked questions: Badly vs Terribly
What's the difference between Badly and Terribly?
Badly: In a way that is not good or not right. Terribly: Very badly or extremely.
Are Badly and Terribly the same CEFR level?
Badly: A2, Terribly: B2 on the CEFR scale.
Can I use Badly and Terribly interchangeably?
Not always. Badly and Terribly are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.