- the most serious or unpleasant thing that could happen; the part, situation, possibility, etc. that is worse than any other
- When they did not hear from her, they feared the worst.
- It doesn't matter what I say. My mother always expects the worst.
- the worst of something The worst of it is that I can't even be sure if they received my letter.
- Although all the votes have not yet been counted, the party is preparing for the worst.
- This is politics at its worst.
- If the worst happens, at least you're prepared.
- The worst of the storm was over.
- He was always optimistic, even when things were at their worst.
Extra Examples- At its worst, bullying is a kind of torture.
- Don't worry—the worst that can happen is that you'll get a fine.
- He was still very ill, but the worst seemed to be over.
- Her sister helped her through the worst of her illness.
- I had not expected to do well in my exams, and the letter confirmed the worst.
- Scotland seemed to have escaped the worst of the recession.
- She always thinks the worst of people.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- absolute
- believe
- think
- anticipate
- …
- be over
- at (somebody/something’s) worst
- through the worst
- bring out the worst in somebody
- get the worst of it
- the worst that can happen
- …
Word OriginOld English wierresta, wyrresta (adjective), wierst, wyrst (adverb), of Germanic origin; related to worse.
Idioms
See worst in the Oxford Advanced American DictionarySee worst in the Oxford Learner's Dictionary of Academic Englishat (the) worst
- used for saying what is the worst thing that can happen
- At the very worst, he'll have to pay a fine.
- At worst this may mean the end of her playing career.
- At worst, the drug can be fatal.
bring out the worst in somebody
- to make somebody show their worst qualities
- Pressure can bring out the worst in people.
- Christmas usually brings out the absolute worst in sentimental platitudes.
do your worst
- (of a person) to do as much damage or be as unpleasant as possible
- Let them do their worst—we'll fight them every inch of the way.
get the worst of it
- to be defeated
- He'd been in a fight and had obviously got the worst of it.
if the worst comes to the worst
(North American English also if worst comes to worst)
- if the situation becomes too difficult or dangerous
- If the worst comes to the worst, we'll just have to sell the house.
the worst of all (possible) worlds
- a situation in which you have all the possible disadvantages at the same time
Check pronunciation:
worst