worst - Definition from Longman English Dictionary Online

worst
2 noun

worst2

the worst

the person or thing that is worse than all others [↪ the best]

worst (that)

This year's harvest is the worst that people can remember.

Last year was by far the worst (=much worse than any other) for road accidents.

The worst of it is (=the worst part of the situation is), I can't tell anyone what's happening.

at its/his etc worst

You saw the garden at its worst, I'm afraid (=when it is worse than any other time).

most of something, or the most unpleasant or difficult part of it:

The worst of the storm seemed to be over.

to expect or fear that something will not be successful or something bad will happen:

When it got so late and they still weren't home, I began to fear the worst.

spoken to lose a fight or argument

if things are as bad as they can be:

Choosing the right software can be time-consuming at best and confusing or frustrating at worst.

used to say that someone can try to harm you but they will not be able to:

They can do their worst now, because I'm leaving in three weeks.

especially British English, if worst comes to worst especially American English if the situation develops in the worst possible way:

If the worst comes to the worst, we'll sell the car.

Definition from the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
Advanced Learner's Dictionary.

Dictionary pictures of the day

Do you know what each of these is called?

Click on any of the pictures above to find out what it is called.

worst² noun