Definition of Terrible
Quick Meaning of Terrible
Very bad or causing fear or worry.
Detailed Definition of Terrible
Extremely bad, unpleasant, or of poor quality.
How to Pronounce Terrible
Stress pattern: Ooo (3-syllable word).
Tip: Stress on first syllable: TER-uh-bul. The middle 'a' is the schwa sound.
Origin and Etymology of Terrible
From Latin 'terribilis' meaning causing dread or fear.
How to Use Terrible in a Sentence
Each example shows “terrible” with a CEFR level so learners can pick examples that match their fluency.
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“The food at that restaurant was terrible.”
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“She had a terrible accident that left her in hospital.”
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“The terrible consequences of climate change are becoming increasingly apparent.”
Synonyms and Antonyms of Terrible
Common Synonyms for Terrible
Smart Synonyms for Terrible — When to Use Each
- awful
- very bad but more informal and common
- horrible
- causing negative emotion or disgust
- dreadful
- formal or literary term for something fearful
Antonyms of Terrible
Common Collocations with Terrible
These phrases pair with “terrible” in everyday English:
- terrible weather
- terrible mistake
- terrible news
Common Mistakes When Using Terrible
Even fluent speakers slip up with “terrible”. Here’s how to avoid the most common errors:
- ✗ Wrong: This is a terrible of weather.
- ✓ Correct: This is terrible weather.
- Why: Adjective does not use 'of'; place before noun directly.
- ✗ Wrong: The situation became more terribly.
- ✓ Correct: The situation became more terrible.
- Why: After linking verb 'became', use adjective not adverb.
Other Forms of Terrible
Frequently Asked Questions About Terrible
What is the meaning of "Terrible"?
Very bad or causing fear or worry.
How do you pronounce "Terrible"?
The IPA is /ˈtɛrəbəl/. Stress on first syllable: TER-uh-bul. The middle 'a' is the schwa sound.
What part of speech is "Terrible"?
"Terrible" is an adjective at A2 level (Common European Framework).
What are synonyms for "Terrible"?
Common synonyms include awful, horrible, dreadful.
How do you use "Terrible" in a sentence?
For example: "The food at that restaurant was terrible."