horrid

Horrid is popularly used to mean extremely bad—awful, dreadful, or horrible.

When it’s used to describe a person, it often means extremely disagreeable or cruel.

Much less commonly, it can mean literally causing horror—horrifying or horrific.

Example: Everyone seems to like that restaurant, but I had a horrid experience there—bad food and even worse service.

The first records of the word horrid come from the late 1500s. It comes from the Latin horridus, which means “prickly” or “rough” and ultimately derives from the Latin verb horrēre, meaning “to tremble” or “to bristle with fear” (a reference to one’s hair standing on end due to extreme fear). Horrēre is the basis of the word horror and the related words horrific, horrifying, and horrible.

Horrid is most popularly used to simply mean “really bad,” in much the same way that horrible and terrible are often used, as in I had a horrid time at that party—no one would talk to me! Sometimes, though, horrid means truly horrific or horrifying, as in In my 30 years on the job, I’ve never seen a crime scene more horrid than this. Real-life horror, like violence, can be described as horrid, but you wouldn’t call a horror movie horrid to mean it was really scary—you’d probably call it horrifying or terrifying. If it was really stupid and poorly made, though, then you could call it horrid. (Unless it was so bad that it was good, in which case you might call it terrific!)

What are some other forms related to horrid?

• horridly (adverb)
• horridness (noun)

What are some synonyms for horrid?

• horrible
• horrendous
• terrible
• awful
• dreadful

What are some words that often get used in discussing horrid?

• bad
• day
• weather
• person
• movie
• unpleasant

The word horrid is always negative, but it’s commonly used in both serious and not-so-serious contexts.

The report is the second in 15 months detailing horrid, violent conditions in Alabama's men's prisons. https://t.co/r6fMxtXXaA

— MontgomeryAdvertiser (@MGMAdvertiser) July 23, 2020

It's looking to be a clear night for many of us this evening. A nice break from the horrid weather and a good excuse to go stargazing.
Wrap up warm, go outside, look up, take some pics if you want and enjoy :)
The Moon and Venus will look particularly splendid.

— VirtualAstro (@VirtualAstro) February 27, 2020

Literally praying that my friends roommate moves out so I can move in with her and leave my horrid roommate behind! 🙏

— jess 💋 (@jesseckhoff) December 13, 2014

Which of the following words is NOT a synonym of horrid? 

A. awful
B. terrible
C. lousy
D. delightful