badly
UK: ˈbædli | US: ˈbædli
adv. in a poor, inadequate, or unsuccessful way
adv. severely or seriously
adv. very much; intensely
badly = bad<poor/negative quality> + ly<adverb-forming suffix>
- bad: From Old English bæddel (hermaphrodite, effeminate man), later evolving to mean "inferior" or "unfavorable." The modern sense of "poor quality" solidified by the 14th century.
- ly: A productive Old English suffix (-līce) used to form adverbs from adjectives, indicating manner or degree.
Etymology Origin:
The word "badly" emerged in Middle English by combining the adjective "bad" with the adverbial suffix "-ly." While "bad" originally carried connotations of social stigma (e.g., weakness), its meaning broadened to describe general inadequacy. The suffix "-ly" systematically transforms adjectives into adverbs, making "badly" literally mean "in a bad manner." Over time, it gained nuanced uses, such as emphasizing intensity ("badly needed").
She performed badly in the exam due to lack of preparation.
The car was badly damaged in the accident.
He wanted the job badly but didn’t get it.
The team played badly and lost the match.
The wound was bleeding badly and required immediate attention.