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

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 formster·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 Formsterrifically, 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

Word Origin and History for terrific

terrific

adj.

1660s, "frightening," from Latin terrificus "causing terror or fear," from terrere "fill with fear" (see terrible) + root of facere "to make" (see factitious). Weakened sensed of "very great, severe" (e.g. terrific headache) appeared 1809; colloquial sense of "excellent" began 1888.

terrific

adjective

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Nearby words

Origin of terrific

Examples from the Web for terrific

terrific

adjective

Word Origin for terrific

terrific