worse
UK: wɜːs | US: wɜːrs
adj. comparative form of "bad" (lower in quality or more unfavorable)
adj. comparative form of "ill" (more severe or unhealthy)
adv. in a more unfavorable or inferior manner
The word "worse" originates from Old English wyrsa, the comparative form of yfel (bad/evil). It shares roots with Proto-Germanic wirsizô and is related to Old Norse verri and Gothic wairsiza. The "-e" ending was a common comparative suffix in Old English, now dropped in Modern English (e.g., "old → older"). The core meaning of "worse" has consistently represented a downward comparison—whether in quality, health, or circumstance—since its earliest usage.
Her cold grew worse overnight, so she stayed in bed.
The weather was worse than we expected, ruining our picnic plans.
He performed worse in the second round of the competition.
The economic forecast looks worse this quarter.
Ignoring the problem will only make things worse.