First Known Use: 15th century
Dictionary
formidable
adjective for·mi·da·ble \ˈfȯr-mə-də-bəl; fȯr-ˈmi-, fər-ˈmi-\
: very powerful or strong : deserving serious attention and respect
: very difficult to deal with
: large or impressive in size or amount
Full Definition of FORMIDABLE
1
: causing fear, dread, or apprehension <a formidable prospect>
2
: having qualities that discourage approach or attack
3
: tending to inspire awe or wonder : impressive
— for·mi·da·bil·i·ty \ˌfȯr-mə-də-ˈbi-lə-tē; fȯr-ˌmi-, fər-ˌ\ noun
— for·mi·da·ble·ness \ˈfȯr-mə-də-bəl-nəs; fȯr-ˈmi-, fər-ˈ\ noun
— for·mi·da·bly \-blē\ adverb
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Examples of FORMIDABLE
- She was known throughout Manchester as a formidable woman, and being educated had only piled more formidability on top of what she had been born with. —Edward P. Jones, The Known World, 2003
- The technology was formidable: using two and a half million rivets, 300 steeplejacks working flat out would run it up in the space of two years … —Alistair Horne, Seven Ages of Paris, 2002
- Alta is reached by a hairpin road that climbs steadily upward—a ride of thirty minutes or so, depending on road and weather conditions—through some of the most formidable mountain scenery in the country. —Cynthia Zarin, New Yorker, 23 Mar. 1992
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Origin of FORMIDABLE
Middle English, from Latin formidabilis, from formidare to fear, from formido terror, bogey; akin to Greek mormō bogey
Related to FORMIDABLE
- Synonyms
- alarming, dire, direful, dread, dreadful, fearsome, forbidding, fearful, frightening, frightful, ghastly, hair-raising, horrendous, horrible, horrifying, intimidating, redoubtable, scary, shocking, spine-chilling, terrible, terrifying
- Antonyms
- cheap, easy, effortless, facile, light, mindless, simple, soft, undemanding
FORMIDABLE Defined for Kids
formidable
adjective for·mi·da·ble \ˈfȯr-mə-də-bəl\
Definition of FORMIDABLE for Kids
1
: causing fear or awe <a formidable enemy>
2
: offering serious difficulties <a formidable task>
3
: large or impressive in size or extent <a formidable waterfall>
— for·mi·da·bly adverb
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