horrid
adjective
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Origin of horrid
OTHER WORDS FROM horrid
hor·rid·ly, adverbhor·rid·ness, nounWords nearby horrid
VOCAB BUILDER
What does horrid mean?
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.
Where does horrid come from?
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!)
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How is horrid used in real life?
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
Try using horrid!
Which of the following words is NOT a synonym of horrid?
A. awful
B. terrible
C. lousy
D. delightful