bad

adjective (UNPLEASANT)

/bæd/

Definition

A1 (worse, worst) unpleasant and causing difficulties or harm: Our holiday was spoiled by bad weather. We've just had some very bad news. I had a very bad night (= did not sleep well) last night. Watch out - he's in a bad mood (= being unpleasant to everyone). She's just a bad loser (= she is unpleasant when she loses). The company has been getting a lot of bad publicity (= negative things have been written or said about it) recently. The lines were so bad (= unpleasantly long) that I didn't bother waiting. The company's financial situation is looking rather bad at the moment. The damage caused by the storm was nothing like as/nowhere near as bad (= not as serious) as we'd feared it might be. Breathing in other people's cigarette smoke is bad for you (= has a harmful effect on your health). This is rather a bad (= not convenient or suitable) time for me to talk. Can I call you back later?Serious and unpleasantNot attractive to look atInformal words for bad not (too) bad A2 informal › quite good or satisfactory: "How are things?" "Not too bad, thanks."Quite good, or not very goodSuitable and acceptable not bad informal › very good: He was best in his age group - not bad, eh?Informal words for goodGood, better and bestQuite good, or not very good feel bad B1 to feel ashamed and sorry: Knowing that I hurt her makes me feel really bad. I feel bad about letting them down.Sadness and regret go from bad to worse › If a situation goes from bad to worse, it was difficult and unpleasant, and is becoming even more so: Things have gone from bad to worse.Deteriorating and making worse badness