worst

Meanings

1. 1
   adv

   to the highest degree of inferiority or badness

   They suffered worst of all.

2. 2
   adj

   (superlative of `bad') most wanting in quality or value or condition

   the worst player on the team

3. 3
   noun

   the weakest effort or poorest achievement one is capable of

   It was the worst they had ever done on a test.

4. 4
   noun

   the greatest damage or wickedness of which one is capable

   the invaders did their worst

5. 5
   noun

   the least favorable outcome

   the worst that could happen

6. 6
   adj

   superlative form of bad: most bad

   I think putting oil on a burn is the worst thing you can do.

7. 7
   adv

   superlative form of badly: most badly; least well.

   My sore leg hurts worst when it's cold and rainy.

8. 8
   noun

   Something or someone that is the worst.

   The humorist helps people to explore and confront their worsts

Etymology

From Middle English worste, wurste, warste, werste, wirste, from Old English wierrest, from Proto-Germanic *wirsistaz, superlative form of *ubilaz (“bad, evil”); compare worse. Cognate with Old Saxon wirsista, wirrista (“worst”), Old High German wirst, wirsesto, wirsisto (“worst”), Danish værst (“worst”), Swedish värst (“worst”), Icelandic verstur (“worst”).