nounnounadjectiveadverb

el peor

worse · worst

Palabra que se usa para comparar algo que tiene menos calidad, causa más daño o resulta menos bueno que otra cosa.

Definition & meaning

Peor means “worse” or, in some contexts, “worst.” It is used to compare people, things, situations, or ways of doing something.

As an adjective: a worse result — un resultado peor
As an adverb: to feel worse — sentirse peor peor
With an article, it can mean “the worst”: the worst part — la peor parte

It can also describe a worsening condition or situation, as in the situation is worse — la situación está peor .

Grammar & Word origin

Peor is the irregular comparative form of malo (“bad”) when used as an adjective, and of mal (“badly”) when used as an adverb. It means “worse” rather than the regular forms más malo or más mal .

As an adjective, it does not change for gender, but it has the plural form peores : el peor libro , la peor decisión , los peores resultados . As an adverb, it does not change form.

The word comes from Latin peior, meaning “worse.”

Synonyms & antonyms

Synonyms depend on context:

inferior means “inferior” or “lower in quality”; unlike peor, it does not necessarily express a direct comparison.
más deficiente means “more deficient” or “less adequate,” and is more specific to quality or performance.

The main antonym is mejor [mejor](vocabuo://word/mejor] (“better”). It is the irregular comparative of bueno (“good”) and of bien (“well”).