Worse
/wɜːrs/noun
A comparative term indicating a lower quality or more unpleasant condition than another.
Did you know?The term 'worse' is derived from a root that literally means 'to turn sour or bad', reflecting the ancient belief in the power of words to manifest reality.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*werso-
“to turn sour or bad, indicative of a negative change.”
Old English
Old English
wiersa
“more bad, worse; a comparative form that shows deterioration.”
Middle English
Middle English
worse
“the comparative of bad, representing a decline or worsening condition.”
Modern English
English
worse
“used to denote a lower quality or more negative state compared to something else.”