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.
And in the small role of Bianca, with whom Cassio has a dalliance, the terrific Rebecca Ana Peña makes a fiery impression, savagely fighting back against Iago’s brutality.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 9, 2026
He has been blessed with terrific talent but clearly has melded that talent to win games and keep the clubhouse on the same page.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 4, 2026
He never went away, but isn’t it terrific to see him on TV again?
From Salon ● Jul. 3, 2026
Still, it’s well worth a watch, with a terrific cast that includes Michael Fassbender, Jeffrey Wright and Richard Gere.
From MarketWatch ● Jun. 30, 2026
He had not been up this long a stretch since the old days, and he felt terrific.
From "The Princess Bride" by William Goldman
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.
