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

And even with those improvements, the 450SS's 2026 MSRP only goes up from $5,500 to $5,699, which, considering the whole package, is still terrific value. —New Atlas, 12 Sep. 2025

The film captures Gilmour and his terrific backing band in concert at Rome’s historic Circus Maximus near the start of the Luck and Strange tour. —Jim Harrington, Mercury News, 10 Sep. 2025

But those poor souls would be missing out on a terrific whiskey that really deserves to be enjoyed. —Tony Sachs, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025

That’s largely due to the terrific performance by Glenn, to whom Eugene the Marine is a sort of homage. —Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 10 Sep. 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