Badly Meaning
Badly Definition & Usage
In a way that is poor in quality or undesirable.
Examples
- "She played badly in the final match, missing several key shots."
- "His car broke down badly in the middle of nowhere."
- "The project went badly wrong after the first phase."
- "The weather turned badly during our hike, forcing us to turn back."
- "Her attempt at cooking went badly, and the dinner was ruined."
In a way that indicates a high degree of suffering or distress.
Examples
- "I feel badly about how things turned out with my friend."
- "She was badly injured in the accident and had to be hospitalized."
- "The news affected him badly, and he couldn't stop worrying."
- "His health has deteriorated badly since the diagnosis."
- "The dog looked badly injured after the fight."
Indicating a strong or urgent need or want for something.
Examples
- "I badly need a vacation after this stressful month."
- "He wanted to see her badly, but she was already gone."
- "I badly wanted to impress my boss with the presentation."
- "She missed her family badly while studying abroad."
- "They were badly in need of more volunteers for the event."
Cultural Context
The word 'badly' has been used in the English language since at least the 14th century. Originally stemming from Middle English 'badly' meaning 'in a bad manner,' it has evolved to cover a range of negative situations, from poor performance to distress. Its versatility allows it to appear in many different contexts, including casual, professional, and emotional situations.
The Worst Day Ever
Story
The Worst Day Ever
It was a morning like any other when Clara's day started to spiral downward. First, she missed the bus, then, as if the universe had a sense of humor, it started to rain heavily. She had forgotten her umbrella at home, and before she knew it, the rain soaked through her clothes. At the office, things went badly from the start. Clara had been preparing for the big presentation for weeks, but when it was her turn, the projector wouldn't work, and she couldn’t find the right slides on her laptop. She felt her confidence draining away with every passing second. Later, when her coworker Mark asked how her day had gone, Clara could only shake her head. 'It’s been one of those days,' she said, 'Everything is going so badly.' But Mark wasn’t one to let someone wallow in misery. He told her, 'Look, you’ve got the strength to handle this. Don't let one bad day get you down.' Clara smiled, grateful for the encouragement, though she couldn't shake the feeling that her day had been badly cursed. After work, Clara felt badly about not calling her mom back earlier, so she immediately dialed her mom's number. The conversation was warm and comforting, reminding Clara that sometimes the worst days can lead to the best realizations. 'I badly needed to hear your voice,' she confessed, smiling as the storm inside her heart began to clear, just like the skies outside her window, where the rain had finally stopped.
Related Words
