worst

 
Pronunciation: /wəːst/

adjective

  • of the poorest quality or the lowest standard; least good or desirable: he was the company’s worst driver the speech was the worst he had ever made
  • most severe or serious: at least 32 people died in Australia’s worst bus accident

adverb

  • most severely or seriously: manufacturing and mining are the industries worst affected by falling employment
  • least well or pleasingly: he was voted the worst-dressed celebrity

noun

  • the most serious or unpleasant thing that could happen: when I saw the ambulance outside her front door, I began to fear the worst
  • the most serious or unpleasant part of something: there are signs that the recession is past its worst

verb

[with object]
  • get the better of; defeat: this was not the time for a deep discussion—she was tired and she would be worsted

Phrases

at its (or someone's) worst

in the most serious, undesirable, or unpleasant state: nothing’s working at the moment, so I suppose you’ve seen us at our worst

at worst (or the worst)

in the most serious case: at worst the injury could mean months in hospital
under the most unfavourable interpretation: the cabinet’s reaction to the crisis was at best ineffective and at worst irresponsible

be one's own worst enemy

see enemy.

do one's worst

do as much damage as one can (often used to express defiance): let them do their worst—he would never surrender

get (or have) the worst of it

be in the least advantageous position; suffer the most: as the struggle continued, the policeman began to get the worst of it everyone was ill, but I seemed to get the worst of it

if the worst comes to the worst

if the most serious or difficult circumstances arise: if the worst comes to the worst and your supplier goes into liquidation, you may be able to get compensation

Origin:

Old English wierresta, wyrresta (adjective), wierst, wyrst (adverb), of Germanic origin; related to worse