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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.
ˈterribly 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.

I scanned the map of nearby studios and, to my excitement, found one that offered salsa, another dance form I had missed terribly, only 15 minutes away.

From Salon

"With policy risk not subsiding anytime soon," analysts at Charles Schwab wrote in a research note, "the bar for a pullback or mini correction in the beginning of 2026 is not terribly high."

From BBC

Ronnie died in 2020 at the age of 75 after suffering a stroke and the couple say they miss him terribly.

From BBC

I am crushed, I will miss him terribly, but I was so lucky to be his partner.

From Los Angeles Times

Baobao never returned to education, which she says makes her feel "terribly sad".

From BBC

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.