First Known Use: 15th century
Dictionary
terrible
adjective ter·ri·ble \ˈter-ə-bəl, ˈte-rə-\
: very shocking and upsetting
: very bad or unpleasant
Full Definition of TERRIBLE
1
a : exciting extreme alarm or intense fear : terrifying b : formidable in nature : awesome <a terrible responsibility> c : difficult <in a terrible bind>
3
: extremely bad: as a : strongly repulsive : obnoxious <a terrible smell> b : notably unattractive or objectionable <terrible behavior> c : of very poor quality <a terrible movie>
— ter·ri·ble·ness noun
— ter·ri·bly \-blē\ adverb
See terrible defined for English-language learners
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Origin of TERRIBLE
Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin terribilis, from terrēre to frighten — more at terror
Related to TERRIBLE
- Synonyms
- alarming, dire, direful, dread, dreadful, fearsome, forbidding, formidable, frightening, frightful, ghastly, hair-raising, horrendous, horrible, horrifying, intimidating, redoubtable, scary, shocking, spine-chilling, fearful, terrifying
TERRIBLE Defined for Kids
terrible
adjective ter·ri·ble \ˈter-ə-bəl\
Definition of TERRIBLE for Kids
1
: very great in degree <a terrible fright> <a terrible mess>
2
: very bad <I got a terrible grade on the test.>
3
: causing great fear <a terrible monster>
— ter·ri·bly \-blē\ adverb
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