bad

Unpleasant, harmful, or wrong.

• I have some bad news.
• Smoking is bad for your health.
• He felt ashamed of his bad behavior.

How to use it: bad for someone/something (Too much sugar is bad for your teeth.)

Similar words: negative, harmful, wrong

Opposites: good

Common phrases: bad news, bad for someone, bad behavior

Made or done poorly, or below the standard you expect.

• That was a bad movie.
• The hotel offered bad service.
• Her first drawings were bad, but she improved quickly.

Similar words: poor, inferior

Opposites: good

Common phrases: bad quality, bad movie, bad service

Very good, impressive, or stylish.

• That is one bad car!
• He played a bad guitar solo.
• You look bad in that leather jacket.

Similar words: cool, excellent, awesome

Common phrases: bad car, bad guitar solo, bad beat

In a way that shows little skill or brings a poor result.

• I did bad on the test.
• Our team played pretty bad yesterday.
• She did not do too bad for a beginner.

Similar words: badly, poorly

Opposites: well

Common phrases: do bad, play bad, perform bad

Very much or with strong feeling.

• I miss you so bad.
• He wanted that job real bad.
• My knee hurts bad today.

Similar words: badly, very much, terribly

Common phrases: want something bad, miss someone bad, hurt so bad

Used to tell a child or animal that its behavior is wrong.

• Bad! Stop biting my shoes.
• Bad dog! Leave the cat alone.
• Bad! You must not hit your brother.

Common phrases: bad dog, bad boy, bad girl