terrific

[tuh-rif-ik]

adjective

1. extraordinarily great or intense.

   terrific speed.

   Synonyms: remarkable, extraordinary

2. extremely good; wonderful.

   a terrific vacation.

   Synonyms: excellent, fine, remarkable, extraordinary

3. causing terror; terrifying.

terrific

/ təˈrɪfɪk /

adjective

1. very great or intense

   a terrific noise

2. informal,  very good; excellent

   a terrific singer

3. very frightening

Other Word Forms

• terrifically adverb
• unterrific adjective
• unterrifically adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of terrific¹

1660–70; < Latin terrificus frightening, equivalent to terr ( ēre ) to frighten + -i- -i- + -ficus -fic

Word History and Origins

Origin of terrific¹

C17: from Latin terrificus, from terrēre to frighten; see _-fic

Example Sentences

At first, L.A. was a terrific place for the shutdown, because we could walk each day in the beautiful sunshine, which I no longer minded one bit, to a stunning view of the coast.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

He's introduced some terrific players into the fold and has overseen many thrillers.

Read more on BBC

I didn’t want to find out that what I thought was a terrific comedy was actually the product of a particular New York zeitgeist and an era of Hollywood moviemaking that’s long gone.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

"Jake Paul is a terrific novice. He's a great novice in a weight division below - cruiserweight - and that's what he is: a novice. But he's a novice who conjures up these ridiculous fights."

Read more on BBC

All terrific players and some of them bunched in talented squads that just couldn't get the job done.

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Related Words

• amazing 
• breathtaking 
• excellent 
• fabulous 
• fantastic 
• great 
• hot 
• magnificent 
• marvelous 
• outstanding 
• sensational 
• superb