terrific

adjective

ter·​rif·​ic tə-ˈri-fik How to pronounce terrific (audio)
1
: unusually fine : magnificent
terrific weather
2
: extraordinary
terrific speed
3
a
: exciting or fit to excite fear or awe
a terrific thunderstorm
b
: very bad : frightful
terrifically adverb

Examples of terrific in a Sentence

She's given me some terrific ideas. Your test scores were terrific. They did a terrific job painting the house. I had a terrific time. I've recovered completely. In fact, I feel terrific. We were hit by a terrific snowstorm last week.
Recent Examples on the Web Following a terrific rookie year, the Reds have even higher expectations for Matt McLain. Sharon Coolidge, The Enquirer, 7 Mar. 2024 It’s been on a terrific run and is on track for its 17th winning week in the last 19 after erasing the last of its losses from Monday and Tuesday. Stan Choe, Fortune, 7 Mar. 2024 There was no lag in the movie at all, and the performances were great, the locations were great, the cinematography was terrific. Joey Nolfi, EW.com, 5 Mar. 2024 Also terrific is Tracee Ellis Ross, the daughter of a pop icon and a five-time Emmy nominee. Ken Makin, The Christian Science Monitor, 3 Mar. 2024 Wildlands/wildflowers Last August’s storm has already inspired early blooms, and recent intense rain is expected to make for a terrific wildflower year overall. Nan Sterman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Mar. 2024 Of course, San Ramon Valley has been terrific all year. Darren Sabedra, The Mercury News, 26 Feb. 2024 But if the right package isn’t there for Granlund, there’s nothing with holding onto him, as he’s been a terrific fit in San Jose, providing what a rebuilding Sharks team needs. Curtis Pashelka, The Mercury News, 25 Feb. 2024 How to find a hotel with the best customer service A short list of hotel chains that offer terrific service is a good start. Christopher Elliott, Forbes, 24 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'terrific.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Latin terrificus, from terrēre to frighten

First Known Use

1667, in the meaning defined at sense 3b

Time Traveler
The first known use of terrific was in 1667

Dictionary Entries Near terrific

Cite this Entry

“Terrific.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/terrific. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

terrific

adjective
ter·​rif·​ic tə-ˈrif-ik How to pronounce terrific (audio)
1
: causing terror : terrible
terrific destruction
2
: very great in degree : extraordinary
a car going at terrific speed
3
: unusually good
makes terrific chili
terrifically adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on terrific

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