adverb
badly
In an unsatisfactory way or to a serious degree.
The team plays badly and loses another game at home.
Etymology
Bad supplies a judgment of poor quality or harm, and -ly turns it into a description of manner. Badly also measures degree, especially when something is seriously wrong or urgently needed.
More examples
- Two passengers were badly injured in the crash.
- I badly need a break after this long shift.
- The shirt fits badly around the shoulders.
Forms
badly · worse · worst
bad adjective — Of poor quality or harmful in effect.
Similar words
- poorly
- Describes low quality or performance, not a serious degree.
- severely
- Emphasizes how serious or intense harm or damage is.