A1adjective1K

Bad

UK /["/bæd/","/wɜːs/","/wɜːst/"]/US /["/bæd/","/wɜːrs/","/wɜːrst/"]/

Definition

unpleasant; full of problems

In simple words: not good or harmful

Examples

  • That was a bad performance by the team.
  • I have a bad feeling about this situation.
  • Eating too much junk food can be bad for your health.
  • It's bad manners to talk with your mouth full.
  • He made a bad decision that cost him a lot of money.

Usage notes

Use 'bad' to describe something that is of poor quality or morally wrong. It's generally appropriate in everyday conversation but can be too informal in professional settings. In formal writing, consider alternatives such as 'unfavorable' or 'detrimental'.

Grammar pattern

bad + noun

Memory hint

Think of a 'bad' guy in a movie — always causing trouble!

Collocations

  • be
  • look
  • sound
  • extremely
  • fairly
  • very
  • at
  • for
  • not half bad
  • be
  • look
  • sound
  • extremely
  • fairly
  • very
  • at
  • for
  • not half bad
  • be
  • look
  • sound
  • extremely
  • fairly
  • very
  • at
  • for
  • not half bad
  • be
  • look
  • smell
  • feel
  • extremely
  • fairly
  • very
  • about
  • be
  • look
  • sound
  • extremely
  • fairly
  • very
  • at
  • for
  • not half bad

Synonyms

  • naughty
  • poor

Antonyms

  • good
  • excellent
  • positive

Common mistakes

  • Using 'bad' instead of 'badly' as an adverb: e.g., 'He performed bad' instead of 'He performed badly'.
  • Confusing 'bad' with 'ill' when referring to health. 'Ill' is usually used in formal contexts.
  • Saying 'more bad' instead of 'worse' for comparative form.