worst
/wɜːrst/
adjective
Origin
Proto-Germanic
*wersistan- — the most confused or bad
Overview
Meaning Now
- Of the poorest quality, lowest standard, or least desirable.
- Most severe, unpleasant, or serious.
Language path
Proto-Germanic → Old English → English
Earliest form
wyrsta
Earliest period
Old English period
Journey
The word is the superlative form of 'worse' (Old English 'wyrsa'), derived from the Proto-Germanic root relating to confusion or mixing, effectively meaning 'the most turned or confused'.
Evolution
- Proto-Germanic
*wersistan-
“worst”
- Old English
wyrsta
“worst”
- Middle English
werste
“worst”
Connections
Word parts
wors-
root
bad
-t
suffix
superlative marker
Related across languages
Old Saxon
wirst
worst
Old High German
wirsto
worst
Related words
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External references use DefinedTerm semantics.