annus horribilis
Britishnoun
Etymology
Origin of annus horribilis
C20: from Latin, modelled on annus mirabilis , first used by Elizabeth II of the year 1992
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Bonds, by contrast, have returned just 1.7% a year during that time frame, and are only just recovering from the annus horribilis of 2022, when they lost 13%, on average.
From Barron's • Apr. 3, 2026
In a speech in November 1992, Queen Elizabeth II rued the previous 12 months as an annus horribilis.
From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 2, 2025
His words, more than anyone else’s, have been cited by writers and pundits across the world in this annus horribilis where nothing seems to be going right and everything seems to be getting worse.
From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 15, 2025
China's annus horribilis has seen its stock markets fall, funds run up losses and foreign investors run for the exit.
From Reuters • Nov. 1, 2023
The Queen described 1992 as her "annus horribilis" and, in a speech in the City of London, appeared to concede the need for a more open monarchy in return for a less hostile media.
From BBC • Sep. 8, 2022
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
