Bad Meaning

UK /bæd/
US /bæd/
Word Definition
bad meaning

Bad Definition & Usage

adjective

Of poor quality or low standard.

Examples

  • "This is a bad idea; it’s not going to work."
  • "The food at the restaurant was bad, and I couldn’t finish it."
  • "The movie was so bad that I fell asleep halfway through."
  • "She had a bad experience at the hotel, and she left a negative review."
  • "I feel bad about missing your birthday party."
adjective

Unpleasant or harmful in nature.

Examples

  • "He has a bad cough and should see a doctor."
  • "The bad weather made it impossible to go outside."
  • "It’s bad luck to break a mirror."
  • "You’re in bad shape if you don’t start exercising."
  • "Her bad attitude made everyone uncomfortable."
adjective

Morally wrong or evil.

Examples

  • "Stealing is bad, and you should never do it."
  • "He made a bad decision by lying to his friends."
  • "Bad behavior should be corrected as soon as possible."
  • "The villain in the story is a bad person with no redemption."
  • "Cheating on exams is considered bad in most schools."
noun

Something that is of poor quality or performance.

Examples

  • "That movie was a total bad, don’t waste your time."
  • "The new phone was a bad, it broke after just a few days."
  • "Her performance in the play was a real bad."
  • "I’ve had enough of his bad; I don’t want to hear any more."
  • "This is a bad of epic proportions!"

Cultural Context

The word 'bad' has undergone significant shifts in meaning over centuries. In Old English, 'bad' was used to describe things that were morally corrupt, which evolved into broader uses in modern English. Today, it has a broad range of meanings, including both negative connotations and informal uses.

The Bad Decision

Story

The Bad Decision

One rainy afternoon, Sarah sat at her desk, contemplating a tough decision. She had been offered two job opportunities: one in her current city, a steady but unexciting office job, and another in a new town, with the promise of adventure but at a company known for its chaotic management style. She thought about the pros and cons, and the more she pondered, the more the 'bad' seemed to outweigh the 'good'. The city job was safe, comfortable, but dull. On the other hand, the new job seemed tempting but filled with red flags. 'I have a bad feeling about it,' she muttered to herself as she clicked through the company’s reviews online. The feedback was overwhelmingly bad – long hours, low pay, and terrible management. In fact, several people described the office environment as a 'bad place to work.' Yet, the idea of starting fresh in a new city had a certain allure. Sarah’s mother, who had always been a voice of reason, suggested she go with the safer option. 'Sometimes the bad is just the right choice,' she said. But Sarah couldn’t shake the sense of adventure. 'It’s like this bad situation could turn into something amazing. I just don’t know yet.' Ultimately, after much deliberation, Sarah decided to take the risky job in the new town, convinced that even a bad decision might lead to personal growth. As it turned out, the company wasn’t as bad as it seemed, and Sarah eventually found a way to thrive in a challenging environment. Though the decision initially felt bad, it turned out to be exactly what Sarah needed.

The Bad Decision