3
ADJ
[usu ADJ
n] A
bad
idea, decision, or method is not sensible or not correct. □
As a carbon-reduction measure this is not necessarily a bad idea.
□
Of course politicians will sometimes make bad decisions.
□
That's not a bad way to proceed, just somewhat different.
□
The worst thing you can do is underestimate an opponent.
4
ADJ
[usu ADJ
n] If you describe a piece of news, an action, or a sign as
bad
, you mean that it is unlikely to result in benefit or success. □
The closure of the project is bad news for her staff.
□
It was a bad start in my relationship with Warr.
□
The report couldn't have come at a worse time for the European Commission.
5
ADJ
Something that is
bad
is of an unacceptably low standard, quality, or amount. □
Many old people in Britain are living in bad housing.
□
The state schools' main problem is that teachers' pay is so bad.
□
It was absolutely the worst food I have ever had.
6
ADJ
[ADJ
n] Someone who is
bad
at
doing something is not skilful or successful at it. □ [+ at
]
He had increased Britain's reputation for being bad at languages.
□
He was a bad driver.
□
Rose was a poor cook and a worse mother.
7
ADJ
[v-link ADJ
] If you say that it is
bad
that something happens, you mean it is unacceptable, unfortunate, or wrong. □
Not being able to hear doesn't seem as bad as not being able to see.
□
You need at least ten pounds if you go to the cinema nowadays–it's really bad.
8
ADJ
[with neg] You can say that something is
not bad
to mean that it is quite good or acceptable, especially when you are rather surprised about this. □
'How much is he paying you?'—'Oh, five thousand.'—'Not bad.'
□
'How are you, mate?'—'Not bad, mate, how's yourself?'
□
He's not a bad chap–quite human for an accountant.
□
That's not a bad idea.
9
ADJ
A
bad
person has morally unacceptable attitudes and behaviour. □
I've made mistakes, but I'm not a bad person.
□
He does not think that his beliefs make him any worse than any other man.
●
bad|ness
N‑UNCOUNT
□
They only recognise badness when they perceive it in others.
10
ADJ
A
bad
child disobeys rules and instructions or does not behave in a polite and correct way. □
You are a bad boy for repeating what I told you.
□
Many parents find it hard to discourage bad behaviour.
11
ADJ
[usu ADJ
n] If you are in a
bad
mood, you are angry and behave unpleasantly to people. □
She is in a bit of a bad mood because she's just given up smoking.
12
ADJ
[oft ADJ
that] If you feel
bad
about
something, you feel rather sorry or guilty about it. □ [+ about
]
You don't have to feel bad about relaxing.
□
I feel bad that he's doing most of the work.
□
Are you trying to make me feel bad?
13
ADJ
[usu ADJ
n] If you have a
bad
back, heart, leg, or eye, it is injured, diseased, or weak. □
Alastair has a bad back so we have a hard bed.
14
ADJ
[usu go
ADJ
, oft ADJ
n] Food that has gone
bad
is not suitable to eat because it has started to decay. □
They bought so much meat that some went bad.
15
ADJ
[usu ADJ
n]
Bad
language is language that contains offensive words such as swear words. □
I don't like to hear bad language in the street.
□
I said a bad word.
16
→ see also
worse
,
worst
