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bad

noun

Of poor or low quality; not meeting standards or expectations; inadequate, defective, or undesirable. Can describe physical objects, situations, behavior, or performance that fails to satisfy requirements or causes harm.

Etymology

Origin: Old English

Root: badde (wicked, evil) — "to, toward"

Example

"The restaurant received bad reviews after customers complained about the cold food and rude service staff."

Usage Notes

The term 'bad' is versatile, used in contexts ranging from mild disappointment ('bad weather') to moral condemnation ('bad person'). It may also express disapproval of actions or methods ('bad behavior'). In informal usage, it frequently appears in intensified or repetitive forms ('really bad,' 'so bad'). It's common in various expressions such as 'bad luck,' 'bad feeling,' but in formal settings, more precise words might be preferred. Avoid overuse in formal writing-prefer specific terms like 'defective,' 'harmful,' or 'inadequate.'