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 of terrific

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

Indie films helped drive a terrific box office weekend with Jane Schoenbrun’s Teenage Sex And Death At Camp Miasma from Mubi a standout. — Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 16 Aug. 2026

Kimbrel pitched 1 1/3 scoreless innings and got a terrific diving catch from Tyler Tolbert in center field. — Kansas City Star, 16 Aug. 2026

Lucasfilm hasn’t had a terrific year with its first film in theaters since 2019’s The Rise of Skywalker. — Savannah Salazar, Vulture, 13 Aug. 2026

Chisholm was shaken up after trying to field Dominic Canzone's infield single in the ninth, but the second baseman remained in the game and followed with a terrific defensive play. — Cbs New York Team, CBS News, 12 Aug. 2026

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