execrable

[ek-si-kruh-buh l]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR execrable ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

utterly detestable; abominable; abhorrent.

very bad: an execrable stage performance.

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Origin of execrable

1350–1400 for earlier sense “expressing a curse”; 1480–90 for def 1; Middle English < Latin ex(s)ecrābilis accursed, detestable. See execrate, -able

Related formsex·e·cra·ble·ness, nounex·e·cra·bly, adverb

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for execrable

Anything, for example, to take our minds off the execrable “dining experience.”
Your iPod (Most Likely) Won’t Bring Down the Plane|Clive Irving|October 31, 2013|DAILY BEAST
So I'm not criticizing her, and I'm certainly not defending DW Griffith's execrable opinions.
The Economic History of Stereotypes|Megan McArdle|June 3, 2013|DAILY BEAST
With intense interest the amiable son of this most execrable father listened to the tale already told of his mother's wrongs.
Mark Hurdlestone|Susanna Moodie
"I did not know whom I should have the pleasure of seeing," said he in his execrable French.
The Morals of Marcus Ordeyne|William J. Locke

These representations disclose the most abhorrent and execrable cruelties.
Adventures of the Ojibbeway and Ioway Indians in England, France, and Belgium; Vol. I (of 2)|George Catlin
Throughout Virginia the roads were execrable and scarcely deserved the name.
The Life of John Marshall (Volume 1 of 4)|Albert J. Beveridge
Kafirs, as a rule, are execrable shots, though here and there a rare exception is to be found.
Harley Greenoak's Charge|Bertram Mitford

British Dictionary definitions for execrable

execrable

adjective

deserving to be execrated; abhorrent

of very poor qualityan execrable meal

Derived Formsexecrableness, nounexecrably, adverb

Word Origin for execrable

C14: from Latin exsecrābilis, from exsecrārī to execrate

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for execrable

execrable

adj.

late 14c., from Old French execrable, from Latin execrabilis/exsecrabilis "execrable, accursed," from execrari/exsecrari (see execrate). Related: Execrably.