terrible

Terrible is commonly used to mean extremely bad—awful, dreadful, or horrible.

It can also mean severe, as in I have a terrible case of the flu. (Of course, this sense of the word often overlaps with its meaning of “extremely bad.”)

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

Terrible is also a somewhat formal way of describing something as having great power or being worthy of awe. This sense of terrible is especially used to describe supernatural power, as in The wizard is known to wield a terrible force with his staff. 

Much less commonly, terrible can mean literally causing terror, but the related word terrifying is much more commonly used to mean this.

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

The first records of the word terrible come from the 1400s. It comes from the Latin terribilis, which ultimately derives from the Latin verb terrēre, meaning “to frighten” or “to terrify.” Terrēre is also the basis of terrify, terrifying, terror, and terrific. (Unlike horrific, the word terrific is almost never used to mean “terrifying” or “horrifying”—it usually means “very good” or “intense.”)

Terrible is most popularly used to simply mean “really bad,” in much the same way that horrible and awful are often used, as in I had a terrible time at that party—no one would talk to me! It’s very rarely used to mean truly horrific or terrifying. Real-life horror-like violence can be described as terrible, but you wouldn’t call a horror movie terrible to mean it was really scary—you’d probably call it terrifying. If it was really stupid and poorly made, though, then you could call it terrible. (Unless it was so bad it was good, in which case you might call it terrific!)

What are some other forms related to terrible?

• terribly (adverb)
• terribleness (noun)

What are some synonyms for terrible?

• horrible
• awful
• dreadful
• horrid
• horrendous

What are some words that share a root or word element with terrible? 

• terror
• terrific
• terrify
• terrifying

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

• bad
• news
• day
• weather
• idea
• person
• movie
• unpleasant

The word terrible is very common. It’s usually used negatively.

Today we reflect on the terrible disaster that took place 6 years ago. A disaster that took the lives of all 298 people on board flight MH17. And a disaster that forever changed the lives of their loved ones. I wish them strength on this emotional day. pic.twitter.com/ghSJLN6dmE

— Mark Rutte (@MinPres) July 17, 2020

Terrible terrible news. Just heard that John Lewis has passed away this evening. Our heroes. All our heroes. May we live lives that are worthy of what they gave to us. Rest in Power brother Lewis. You gave us all such good trouble.

— Phillip Atiba Goff (@DrPhilGoff) July 18, 2020

u ever been in the car w such a terrible driver u jus close ur eyes and accept that whatever happens happens

— ☆𝔥𝔢𝔩𝔢𝔫𝔞☆ (@lithiumd0ll) July 24, 2020

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

A. awful
B. horrible
C. lousy
D. lovely