Words / A2

BADL-ee/ˈbædli/

Badly is the adverb from bad: sleep badly, need it badly, the plan went badly. Bad is the adjective (a bad idea). Worse / worst compare. Do not use bad after a verb when you mean the manner: she sings badly, not she sings bad in careful English.

Meaning

In a way that is not good, or very much.

Examples

• “He played badly in the first game.”
• “The team played badly in the second half.”
• “He was badly hurt, but he is stable.”

Good to know

verb + badly. Adjective: bad. Comparative: worse.

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