terrific
Americanadjective
-
extraordinarily great or intense.
terrific speed.
- Synonyms:
- remarkable, extraordinary
-
extremely good; wonderful.
a terrific vacation.
- Synonyms:
- excellent, fine, remarkable, extraordinary
-
causing terror; terrifying.
adjective
-
very great or intense
a terrific noise
-
informal very good; excellent
a terrific singer
-
very frightening
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of terrific
1660–70; < Latin terrificus frightening, equivalent to terr ( ēre ) to frighten + -i- -i- + -ficus -fic
Explanation
Something that's terrific is wonderful, like a terrific concert you'll never forget. Terrific can also describe something very intense, like a terrific thunderstorm. Anything huge or loud or forceful can be described with the adjective terrific. A marathon runner might put in a terrific effort during the last mile of the race, or a band can make a terrific racket when it practices. Terrific can also mean great, like your terrific new hair cut. Terrific's origin is more scary than wonderful: the Latin root is terrificus, causing terror or fear.
Vocabulary lists containing terrific
"Dragon, Dragon"
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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.
Veronica Weir, who has 26 years' experience as a driving instructor thinks the law change is "terrific" and that young drivers can be irresponsible.
From BBC ● Sep. 30, 2026
Use your imagination and you can hear the places where dynamic arrangements could have pushed these terrific songs even further.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 8, 2026
She had a terrific sense of humor, which I witnessed firsthand during a book-signing event I attended in the early 1990s.
From Salon ● Sep. 3, 2026
Persistence and commitment to keep grinding are terrific qualities for any athlete, and that’s what former All-City Section quarterback Diego Montes from Granada Hills Kennedy High showed in his pursuit to join UCLA’s football program.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 2, 2026
That night Calder got a phone call from Tommy with the terrific news that he and his mom were moving back to Hyde Park.
From "Chasing Vermeer" by Blue Balliett
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.
