badly

Universal Words adverb (worse, worst) 1 not skilfully or not carefully: to play / sing badly * badly designed / organized 2 not successfully: Things have been going badly. * I did badly (= was not successful) in my exams. 3 not in a satisfactory way: to behave / sleep badly * badly paid / treated * The kids took the dog's death very badly (= they were very unhappy). 4 in a way that makes people get a bad opinion about sth: The economic crisis reflects badly on the government's policies. * She's only trying to help, so don't think badly of her. 5 used to emphasize how much you want, need, etc. sb/sth: The building is badly in need of repair. * They wanted to win so badly. * I miss her badly. 6 used to emphasize how serious a situation or an event is: badly damaged / injured / hurt * The country has been badly affected by recession. * Everything's gone badly wrong! IDIOMS badly off 1 not having much money; poor 2 not in a good situation: I've got quite a big room so I'm not too badly off. * Lots of people are far worse off than we are. be badly off for sth (BrE) to not have enough of sth