worst

[wurst] /wɜrst/
adjective, superl. of bad and ill
1.
bad or ill in the highest, greatest, or most extreme degree:
the worst person.
2.
most faulty, unsatisfactory, or objectionable:
the worst paper submitted.
3.
most unfavorable or injurious.
4.
in the poorest condition:
the worst house on the block.
5.
most unpleasant, unattractive, or disagreeable:
the worst personality I've ever known.
6.
most lacking in skill; least skilled:
the worst typist in the group.
noun
7.
that which is worst.
adverb
8.
in the most evil, wicked, severe, or disadvantageous manner.
9.
with the most severity, intensity, etc.; in the greatest degree.
verb (used with object)
10.
to defeat; beat:
He worsted him easily.
Idioms
11.
at worst, if the worst happens; under the worst conditions:
He will be expelled from school, at worst.
Also, at the worst.
12.
get the worst of something, to be defeated by; lose:
to get the worst of a fight.
13.
if worst comes to worst, if the very worst happens:
If worst comes to worst, we still have some money in reserve.
14.
in the worst way, Informal. in an extreme degree; very much:
She wanted a new robe for Christmas in the worst way.
Also, the worst way.
Origin
before 900; Middle English worste (adj., adv., and noun), Old English wur(re)sta, wyr(re)st, wer(re)sta (adj. and adv.); cognate with Old Norse verstr; see worse, -est1
Can be confused
worst, wurst.
British Dictionary definitions for if worst comes to worst

worst

/wɜːst/
adjective
1.
the superlative of bad1
adverb
2.
in the most extreme or bad manner or degree
3.
least well, suitably, or acceptably
4.
(in combination) in or to the smallest degree or extent; least: worst-loved
noun
5.
the worst, the least good or most inferior person, thing, or part in a group, narrative, etc
6.
(often preceded by at) the most poor, unpleasant, or unskilled quality or condition: television is at its worst these days
7.
the greatest amount of damage or wickedness of which a person or group is capable: the invaders came and did their worst
8.
the weakest effort or poorest achievement that a person or group is capable of making: the applicant did his worst at the test because he did not want the job
9.
the worst
  1. in the least favourable interpretation or view
  2. under the least favourable conditions
10.
if the worst comes to the worst, if all the more desirable alternatives become impossible or if the worst possible thing happens
11.
come off worst, get the worst of it, to enjoy the least benefit from an issue or be defeated in it
verb
12.
(transitive) to get the advantage over; defeat or beat
Word Origin
Old English wierrest; related to Old Frisian wersta, Old Saxon, Old High German wirsisto, Old Norse verstr
Word Origin and History for if worst comes to worst

worst

adj.

Old English wyrresta, from Proto-Germanic *wers-ista- (cf. Old Saxon wirsista, Old Norse verstr, Old Frisian wersta, Old High German wirsisto), superlative of PIE *wers- "to confuse, mix up" (see worse). Phrase in the worst way (1839) is from American English sense of "most severely."

v.

"damage, inflict loss upon," c.1600, from worst (adj.). Related: Worsted; worsting.

Idioms and Phrases with if worst comes to worst

if worst comes to worst

Also, if worse comes to worst. In the least favorable situation, if the worst possible outcome occurs. For example, If worst comes to worst and the budget is not approved, the government will shut down, or Go ahead and go to school with a cold; if worse comes to worst the teacher will send you home. This expression is nearly always followed by a solution. [ Late 1500s ]

worst

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also see under:
worse