Dictionary monolingual
English
Bad
bæd
Extremely common
300 - 400
300 - 400
The word frequency and importance index indicates how often a word appears in a given language. The smaller the number, the more frequently the word is used. The most frequently used words typically range from about 1 to 4000. This importance index helps you focus on the most useful words during your language learning process.
The word frequency and importance index indicates how often a word appears in a given language. The smaller the number, the more frequently the word is used. The most frequently used words typically range from about 1 to 4000. This importance index helps you focus on the most useful words during your language learning process.
Bad -
of poor quality or low standard
Example: The movie was bad; the acting was terrible.
Usage: informalContext: everyday conversations
Note: This is the most common meaning of 'bad' and can be used to describe anything of inferior quality.
unpleasant or harmful
Example: He had a bad cold and couldn't come to work.
Usage: informalContext: health-related discussions
Note: This meaning is often used in relation to health, feelings, or situations that are negative or harmful.
immoral or wicked
Example: Stealing is a bad thing to do.
Usage: formalContext: ethical discussions
Note: This meaning is more commonly used in formal or serious discussions about morality or ethics.
Bad's synonyms
poor
When something is poor, it is of low quality or not very good.
Example: The movie received poor reviews from critics.
Note: Poor often implies a lack of quality or standard, whereas bad can be more general in its negative connotation.
awful
Awful means extremely bad or unpleasant.
Example: The food at that restaurant was awful.
Note: Awful is stronger than bad and conveys a sense of extreme negativity.
terrible
Terrible means very bad or of low quality.
Example: The weather was terrible during our vacation.
Note: Terrible is similar to awful but can also imply causing fear or dread.
dreadful
Dreadful means causing great suffering, fear, or unhappiness.
Example: The traffic was dreadful this morning.
Note: Dreadful emphasizes the negative impact or feeling caused by something, more so than just being bad.
subpar
Subpar means below an expected or usual standard.
Example: The service at the restaurant was subpar compared to what we expected.
Note: Subpar specifically indicates falling below a certain standard or expectation.
Bad expressions, common phrases
Bite the bullet
To force oneself to endure a painful or otherwise unpleasant situation.
Example: I have to bite the bullet and tell my boss about the mistake I made.
Note: The phrase 'bite the bullet' implies facing a difficult situation head-on, whereas 'bad' simply means something of poor quality or negative.
Hit rock bottom
To reach the lowest point in one's life or situation.
Example: After losing his job and his home, he felt like he had hit rock bottom.
Note: While 'bad' is a general term for something negative, 'hit rock bottom' specifically refers to reaching the lowest possible point.
Go from bad to worse
To deteriorate or become even more unfavorable.
Example: First, I lost my keys, and then it started raining - it's all going from bad to worse!
Note: This phrase emphasizes a worsening situation, whereas 'bad' only indicates something negative.
Bad blood
A feeling of longstanding animosity or resentment.
Example: There has been bad blood between the two families for generations.
Note: Unlike 'bad', 'bad blood' describes a negative relationship or tension between people or groups.
A bad apple
A person who is dishonest or corrupt within a group.
Example: She's a bad apple in an otherwise great team.
Note: While 'bad' is a general term, 'a bad apple' specifically refers to a negative individual in a group.
In a bad mood
Feeling irritable or unhappy.
Example: Don't talk to him right now, he's in a bad mood.
Note: This phrase describes a temporary state of being negative or irritable, unlike 'bad' which is a more general term.
Bad hair day
A day when everything seems to go wrong or nothing is working out as planned.
Example: I'm having a bad hair day, nothing seems to be going right.
Note: Unlike 'bad', 'bad hair day' refers to a day where things are not going well specifically.
Bad to the bone
Inherently wicked or evil.
Example: He may seem nice, but deep down, he's bad to the bone.
Note: This phrase goes beyond just being 'bad' and describes someone as fundamentally evil or immoral.
Bad everyday (slang) expressions
Sick
In slang, 'sick' is used to describe something cool, impressive, or awesome.
Example: That car is sick!
Note: While 'bad' can have a negative connotation, 'sick' is used in a positive way to express admiration or approval.
Wicked
'Wicked' is used in slang to mean excellent, great, or cool.
Example: That concert was wicked!
Note: 'Wicked' is more emphatic and informal compared to the word 'bad', conveying a stronger sense of excitement or intensity.
Rad
'Rad' is short for 'radical' and is used to mean fantastic, excellent, or impressive.
Example: She has a rad sense of style.
Note: It is a more casual and trendy alternative to 'bad', often used in a positive context to describe something remarkable or exciting.
Dope
In modern slang, 'dope' means excellent, cool, or impressive.
Example: That new song is dope!
Note: 'Dope' is used informally to describe something of high quality or admiration, similar to 'bad', but with a more current and urban twist.
Lit
'Lit' is used to describe something exciting, fun, or amazing.
Example: The party was so lit last night!
Note: While 'bad' can have a negative sense, 'lit' is exclusively used in a positive context to highlight something that is vibrant, lively, or exceptional.
Fierce
In slang, 'fierce' is used to describe something powerful, bold, or impressive.
Example: Her performance on stage was fierce!
Note: Compared to 'bad', 'fierce' connotes a sense of strength, confidence, and fierceness, often used to praise someone or something with great energy or style.
Bad - Examples
Bad weather ruined our picnic.
He has a bad reputation in town.
The movie was so bad that we left halfway through.
Bad grammar
Bad - Adjective (Adjective) / Adjective (Adjective)
Lemma: bad
Conjugations
Adjective, comparative (Adjective, comparative): worse
Adjective, superlative (Adjective, superlative): worst
Adjective (Adjective): bad
Adverb, comparative (Adverb, comparative): worse
Adverb, superlative (Adverb, superlative): worst
Adverb (Adverb): bad
Syllables, Separation and Stress
bad Contains 1 syllables: bad
Phonetic transcription: ˈbad
bad , ˈbad (The red syllable is stressed)
Bad - Importance and usage frequency
The word frequency and importance index indicates how often a word appears in a given language. The smaller the number, the more frequently the word is used. The most frequently used words typically range from about 1 to 4000.
bad: 300 - 400 (Extremely common).
This importance index helps you focus on the most useful words during your language learning process.
...