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 Players believe that the reward—life-changing money—is worth the impossible odds and horrid violence, and many express a desire to remain in a contest that dangles hope in front of them. —Rory Doherty, Time, 27 June 2025

The coach who in his two seasons lost at home to New Mexico State, Vanderbilt and Cal (among others) is perfectly capable of having a horrid third year that spells the end. —Seth Emerson, The Athletic, 24 Feb. 2025

During her time on the stand, Ventura recounted horrid details about what allegedly transpired during her relationship with Diddy. —Mackenzie Cummings-Grady, Billboard, 23 May 2025

The Hornets are coming off a horrid 2024-25 season. —Mohammed Soliman, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Apr. 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