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0 English - Monolingual Dictionary

Badly

ˈbædli
Very common
~ 2000
~ 2000, Very common
The word frequency and importance index indicates how often a word appears in a given language. The smaller the number, the more frequently the word is used. The most frequently used words typically range from about 1 to 4000. This importance index helps you focus on the most useful words during your language learning process.
In a poor or unsatisfactory manner, To a great or serious extent, Strongly or with great intensity

Badly - Meanings

In a poor or unsatisfactory manner

Example: She sang badly during the performance.
Usage: informalContext: everyday conversations
Note: Used to describe the way something is done poorly or inadequately.

To a great or serious extent

Example: He was badly injured in the accident.
Usage: formalContext: medical or emergency situations
Note: Indicates a severe or significant degree of something, often used in serious contexts.

Strongly or with great intensity

Example: I badly want to go on vacation.
Usage: informalContext: expressing desires or wishes
Note: Used to emphasize a strong feeling or desire for something.

Badly's synonyms

poorly

In a way that is not satisfactory or to a low standard.
Example: She performed poorly on the exam.
Note: Similar to 'badly' but often used in the context of performance or quality.

awfully

Used to emphasize the extent or degree of something unpleasant.
Example: The weather was awfully cold last night.
Note: More informal and colloquial than 'badly'.

terribly

In a way that causes distress or extreme discomfort.
Example: I felt terribly sorry for what happened.
Note: Conveys a stronger sense of emotional distress compared to 'badly'.

horribly

In a way that is extremely unpleasant or offensive.
Example: The food tasted horribly salty.
Note: Emphasizes a strong negative quality or experience.

abysmally

To an extremely low or bad degree.
Example: The team performed abysmally in the match.
Note: Conveys a sense of failure or incompetence more strongly than 'badly'.

Badly expressions, common phrases

Feel badly

To feel remorse or regret about something.
Example: I feel badly about missing her birthday.
Note: The use of 'badly' in this phrase is correct as it refers to the feeling rather than the action.

Go badly

To go poorly or not as planned.
Example: The meeting went badly, and no decisions were made.
Note: In this context, 'badly' describes the outcome of an event rather than the quality of an action.

Behave badly

To act inappropriately or poorly.
Example: Children sometimes behave badly when they are tired.
Note: The focus here is on the manner in which someone behaves rather than the general quality of their actions.

Want something badly

To desire something strongly or intensely.
Example: I want this promotion badly; it means a lot to me.
Note: In this phrase, 'badly' intensifies the level of desire for something.

Need something badly

To require something urgently or desperately.
Example: She needs a break badly after working long hours.
Note: The emphasis here is on the urgent or desperate nature of the need.

Treat someone badly

To behave in a cruel or unfair manner towards someone.
Example: It's not right to treat others badly just because you're upset.
Note: This phrase focuses on how someone is treated rather than the general quality of their actions.

Take something badly

To react negatively or sensitively to something.
Example: He took the criticism badly and felt demotivated.
Note: Here, 'badly' describes the negative emotional reaction to a situation.

Go down badly

To be received or reacted to unfavorably by others.
Example: His jokes went down badly with the audience; they didn't find them funny.
Note: This phrase specifically relates to how something is received by others, indicating a negative response.

Badly everyday (slang) expressions

Bad news

Refers to something unfortunate or unwelcome.
Example: I have some bad news. The party has been canceled.
Note: Focuses on the negativity of the situation.

Bad blood

Refers to feelings of ill will or hostility.
Example: There's been bad blood between them ever since the argument.
Note: Implies a longstanding animosity or tension.

Bad hair day

Refers to a day where one's appearance or life in general is not going well.
Example: I'm having a bad hair day. Nothing seems to be going right.
Note: Focuses on a temporary state of feeling or looking unpleasant.

Badass

Describes someone who is tough, rebellious, or formidable.
Example: She's a total badass. Nothing can intimidate her.
Note: Conveys a sense of admiration or respect for the person's toughness.

Bad-ass

Used to describe something as exceptionally impressive or cool.
Example: That car is bad-ass. Look at those custom modifications!
Note: Emphasizes the extreme level of awesomeness or excellence.

Badly - Examples

She played badly in the tennis match.
He speaks English badly.
I cooked the chicken badly and it was dry.

Badly grammar

Badly - Adverb (Adverb) / Adverb (Adverb)
Lemma: badly
Conjugations
Adverb (Adverb): badly
Syllabification and Stress
badly Contains 2 syllables: bad • ly
Phonetic transcription: ˈbad-lē
bad ly , ˈbad (The red syllable is stressed)

Badly - Importance and usage frequency

The word frequency and importance index indicates how often a word appears in a given language. The smaller the number, the more frequently the word is used. The most frequently used words typically range from about 1 to 4000.
badly: ~ 2000 (Very common).
This importance index helps you focus on the most useful words during your language learning process.