horrid

adjective

hor·​rid ˈhȯr-əd 

ˈhär-

1

: innately offensive or repulsive:

a

: inspiring horror : shocking

horrid living conditions

b

: inspiring disgust or loathing : nasty

a horrid man

c

: extremely bad or unpleasant : horrible

the tenor bell … gives out a horrid discordant noise

—Robert Graves

2

archaic : rough, bristling

horridly adverb

horridness noun

Synonyms

• awful
• horrible
• ugly
• disgusting
• hideous
• sickening
• dreadful
• shocking
• obscene
• obnoxious
• offensive
• nasty

Examples of horrid in a Sentence

People there are living in horrid conditions.

He's a horrid little man.

Recent Examples on the Web

The place is a statue, a monument to horrid thinking about a grave issue. —Brian Domitrovic, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2025

Monday at least did not resemble the horrid three-game sweep at Petco Park in May, when the Padres scored once in each game and were outscored 15-3. —Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Aug. 2025

However, these pale in comparison to her horrid record of decisions as a Supreme Court justice. —Chicago Tribune, 25 Aug. 2025

Despite the horrid start, Milton still has the trust from Schottenheimer and the coaching staff. —Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Latin horridus "bristly, rough, uncouth, shivering with cold, inspiring dread," from horrēre "to be stiffly erect, bristle (of hair, weapons, plants), shudder, shiver" + -idus, adjective suffix of quality — more at horror entry 1

First Known Use

1590, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for horrid

• florid
• torrid

Kids Definition

horrid

adjective

hor·​rid ˈhȯr-əd 

ˈhär-

1

: inspiring horror : shocking

2

a

: arousing disgust : nasty

a horrid man

b

: horrible sense 2

had horrid manners

horridly adverb

horridness noun