badly
adverb
UK/ˈbæd.li/US/ˈbæd.li/
in a way that is unsatisfactory, unsuccessful, inadequate, or severe
Example Sentences
I spelled several words badly on the spelling quiz, so I lost additional marks.
They performed so badly in their first concert that half the audience left early.
He realized he’d acted badly toward his colleagues and apologized to them the next day.
Her computer was running so badly that she had to reboot it every few minutes.
The plan was badly organized, lacking clear objectives and timelines for completion.
He felt badly for missing his sister’s graduation, knowing how important the event was to her and regretting that he couldn't be there to celebrate her achievement.
The house was badly damaged in the storm, with shattered windows, a collapsed roof, and flooding in the basement that would require extensive repairs and professional help.
My interview went badly because I arrived late, stumbled over my answers, and couldn't provide concrete examples for the questions they asked.
Thesaurus
Synonyms
Antonyms
How to Use
An adverb describing actions done poorly, intensely, or to a great degree.“Badly” functions as an adverb modifying verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs to indicate the manner or extent of an action or quality. It can express poor quality or ineffectiveness—for example, “She sings badly,” meaning her singing lacks skill. It can also denote intensity or severity, as in “He needs help badly,” indicating a strong or urgent need. Additionally, “badly” may convey negative emotions or conditions, such as “They were badly injured,” highlighting the seriousness of their injuries. The context determines whether “badly” emphasizes inadequacy, urgency, or intensity, making it a versatile adverb in both descriptive and emotional expressions.
Alternatives
Depending on the intended meaning, synonyms for “badly” include “poorly” (when indicating poor quality), “severely” or “greatly” (when denoting intensity), and “urgently” (when expressing need). For example, “She sings poorly” focuses on the quality, while “He needs help severely” emphasizes the extent. In emotional contexts, alternatives like “deeply” or “intensely” might fit—“They were deeply injured.” However, “badly” remains a common and flexible choice that seamlessly adapts to different nuances of poor performance or high intensity.
Writing
In formal or academic writing, use “badly” with clarity regarding what aspect is being emphasized—whether it’s the quality of an action or the intensity of a condition. For example, “The experiment was conducted badly, resulting in unreliable data,” specifies poor execution. When discussing needs or urgencies, “The community needs support badly” conveys a strong requirement without sounding overly informal. Avoid overusing “badly” to maintain precision; instead, pair it with specific descriptors to enhance meaning. For instance, instead of saying “She performed badly,” consider “She performed poorly in the assessment,” which provides clearer insight into the nature of the inadequacy.
Casual Conversation
In everyday conversation, “badly” is often used to stress how something is done or how much someone needs something. Examples include, “I’m feeling badly today,” though more commonly people might say, “I feel bad today.” When emphasizing need, someone might say, “I need a vacation badly,” highlighting their strong desire. Friends might use it to describe poor performance humorously, like, “You dance badly, but I love you anyway.” It also appears in expressions like, “They were badly hurt in the accident,” conveying serious injury. While versatile, in casual settings, “badly” is typically understood through context to mean either poor quality or high intensity.
Etymology
“Badly” originates from the adjective “bad,” which has Old English roots in the word “bæd,” meaning deficient or of poor quality. The adverbial form “badly” emerged by adding the suffix “-ly” to convert the adjective into an adverb, a common process in English to modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs. Historically, “badly” has maintained its dual usage to describe both poor performance and intense need or severity. Its longstanding presence in the language underscores its adaptability in expressing various shades of inadequacy and intensity, making it a staple in both spoken and written English.
