badly Meaning, Definition & Usage

1. adverb to a severe or serious degree
   gravely; seriously; severely.
   
   • fingers so badly frozen they had to be amputated
   • badly injured
   • a severely impaired heart
   • is gravely ill
   • was seriously ill
2. adverb (`ill' is often used as a combining form) in a poor or improper or unsatisfactory manner; not well
   ill; poorly.
   
   • he was ill prepared
   • it ill befits a man to betray old friends
   • the car runs badly
   • he performed badly on the exam
   • the team played poorly
   • ill-fitting clothes
   • an ill-conceived plan
3. adverb evilly or wickedly
   
   • treated his parents badly
   • to steal is to act badly
4. adverb in a disobedient or naughty way
   naughtily; mischievously.
   
   • he behaved badly in school
   • he mischievously looked for a chance to embarrass his sister
   • behaved naughtily when they had guests and was sent to his room
5. adverb with great intensity (`bad' is a nonstandard variant for `badly')
   bad.
   
   • the injury hurt badly
   • the buildings were badly shaken
   • it hurts bad
   • we need water bad
6. adverb very much; strongly
   bad.
   
   • I wanted it badly enough to work hard for it
   • the cables had sagged badly
   • they were badly in need of help
   • he wants a bicycle so bad he can taste it
7. adverb without skill or in a displeasing manner
   
   • she writes badly
   • I think he paints very badly
8. adverb in a disadvantageous way; to someone's disadvantage
   disadvantageously.
   
   • the venture turned out badly for the investors
   • angry that the case was settled disadvantageously for them
9. adverb unfavorably or with disapproval
   ill.
   
   • tried not to speak ill of the dead
   • thought badly of him for his lack of concern
10. adverb with unusual distress or resentment or regret or emotional display
    
    • they took their defeat badly
    • took her father's death badly
    • conducted himself very badly at the time of the earthquake

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