terrific

[ tuh-rif-ik ]

/ təˈrɪf ɪk /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR terrific ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

extraordinarily great or intense: terrific speed.

extremely good; wonderful: a terrific vacation.

causing terror; terrifying.

Nearby words

terri, terrible, terribly, terricolous, terrier, terrific, terrify, terrifying, terrigenous, terrine, territorial

Origin of terrific

1660–70; < Latin terrificus frightening, equivalent to terr(ēre) to frighten + -i- -i- + -ficus -fic

SYNONYMS FOR terrific

1, 2 extraordinary, remarkable.

2 fine, excellent.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR terrific ON THESAURUS.COM

Related forms

ter·rif·i·cal·ly, adverbun·ter·rif·ic, adjectiveun·ter·rif·i·cal·ly, adverb

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for terrific

On Monday Mount calls to say he thinks the script is terrific.
Alfred Hitchcock’s Fade to Black: The Great Director’s Final Days|David Freeman|December 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Marilyn Johnson is a writer with a terrific capacity for learning.
The Real-Life Raiders of the Lost Ark|Alex Belth|November 14, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Iyer employs a terrific combination of erudition and absurdity that calls to mind the great postmodernists.
Lars Iyer’s ‘Wittgenstein Jr.’ Plumbs the Deep Fun of Philosophical Fiction|Drew Smith|October 1, 2014|DAILY BEAST
“Our 18 working groups are a terrific resource to elected officials, whether they are running for president or not,” said Hook.
Exclusive: Romney Foreign Policy Team Is Schooling 2016's Republicans|Josh Rogin|September 8, 2014|DAILY BEAST

For all we know, Perdue may a terrific guy and a potentially great U.S. senator.
In 2014, You Can Still Buy a Senate Seat|Mark McKinnon|August 11, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The marines and bluejackets now pushed bravely on, but encountered a terrific fire from the troops within the forts.
The Three Midshipmen|W.H.G. Kingston
By this time it had achieved an almost inconceivable momentum, and was shooting downward at a terrific rate.
Two Boys in Wyoming|Edward S. Ellis
The vibration and noise were terrific; one could not see even these large shells coming out of the guns, only fire and smoke.
My Diary in Serbia: April 1, 1915-Nov. 1, 1915|Monica M. Stanley
There is supposed to be some latent and terrific evil in remaining unmarried.
The Young Maiden|A. B. (Artemas Bowers) Muzzey
It was three in the morning when I reached the farm-house, and today I am all unstrung and quivering after my terrific adventure.
The Last Galley|Arthur Conan Doyle

British Dictionary definitions for terrific

terrific

/ (təˈrɪfɪk) /

adjective

very great or intensea terrific noise

informal very good; excellenta terrific singer

very frightening

Derived Forms

terrifically, adverb

Word Origin for terrific

C17: from Latin terrificus, from terrēre to frighten; see -fic

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

terrific

adjective

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Nearby words

Origin of terrific

SYNONYMS FOR terrific

Related forms

Examples from the Web for terrific

British Dictionary definitions for terrific

terrific

adjective

Derived Forms

Word Origin for terrific