terrific

adjective

ter·​rif·​ic tə-ˈri-fik 

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

tə-ˈri-fi-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Synonyms

• excellent
• wonderful
• great
• superb
• fantastic
• awesome
• lovely
• fabulous
• beautiful
• marvelous
• marvellous
• stellar
• fine

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

Qatar Airways' Al Mourjan Business Lounge blends modern aesthetics with traditional Qatari elements, and offers terrific dining options, private sleeping pods, luxury showers, and quiet zones. —Staff Author, Travel + Leisure, 24 Oct. 2025

Move’s work was that not of a satirist but of a believer, of a terrific dancer who inhabited Graham’s genius. —Hilton Als, New Yorker, 24 Oct. 2025

Rookie wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan has been terrific, and Jalen Coker just came back from injury last weekend. —Matthew Schmidt, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Oct. 2025

Gleeson and Lupe were terrific, the scripts were smart, the directing was excellent, but the audience never came. —Literary Hub, 23 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Latin terrificus, from terrēre to frighten

First Known Use

1667, in the meaning defined at sense 3b

Rhymes for terrific

• horrific
• pacific
• prolific
• salvific
• specific
• calorific
• conspecific
• hieroglyphic
• honorific
• nonspecific
• scientific
• soporific

Kids Definition

terrific

adjective

ter·​rif·​ic tə-ˈrif-ik 

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

-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb