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Synonyms

terribly

American  
[ter-uh-blee] / ˈtɛr ə bli /

adverb

  1. in a terrible manner.

  2. Informal. extremely; very.

    It's terribly late. I'm terribly sorry.
terribly British  
/ ˈtɛrəblɪ /

adverb

  1. in a terrible manner

  2. (intensifier)

    you're terribly kind
"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

Usage

What does terribly mean? Terribly means in a way that’s terrible—awfully, horribly, or extremely bad. The adjective terrible has a few different meanings, but the adverb form terribly is usually based on its sense meaning extremely bad or horrible, as in I did terribly on that test or The children behaved terribly this morning. Terribly is also commonly used to mean very or extremely, as in We’re terribly sorry. When used this way, it’s an intensifier—a word used to strengthen or emphasize the word it modifies. This sense of the word is commonly used in negative constructions, such as not terribly exciting, which means the same thing as not very exciting. Example: I’m not terribly interested in going on a trip with Jeff, especially since I’ve heard he drives terribly.

Etymology

Origin of terribly

First recorded in 1520–30; terrible + -ly

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.

Given how positioning in the market has trended over the past month, Kizemchuk sees recent moves as not terribly promising.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 11, 2026

For me it began with a text from my pal “Deep Blue,” which initially didn’t seem terribly promising.

From Barron's • Mar. 12, 2026

It read: "Travis will forever be loved and terribly missed by all of those who have known him."

From BBC • Mar. 11, 2026

“We came close to doing something terribly inappropriate,” he said.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 11, 2026

Mine and Yakov’s were nearest to the window, an enviable location during summer but terribly cold and drafty during winter.

From "The City Beautiful" by Aden Polydoros

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.