terrible

adjective

ter·​ri·​ble ˈter-ə-bəl 

ˈte-rə-

1

: extremely bad: such as

a

: notably unattractive or objectionable

terrible behavior

b

: of very poor quality

a terrible movie

c

: strongly repulsive : obnoxious

a terrible smell

2

a

: difficult

in a terrible bind

b

: formidable in nature : awesome

a terrible responsibility

c

: exciting extreme alarm or intense fear : terrifying

3

: extreme, great

a terrible disappointment

terribleness noun

Synonyms

• horrible
• terrifying
• formidable
• frightening
• scary

Examples of terrible in a Sentence

Traffic was held up by a terrible accident.

I have a terrible cold.

The service at that restaurant is terrible.

Recent Examples on the Web

Vegas bounced back from a terrible loss to the Fever with an 86-68 win over the Sun on Sunday. —Kilty Cleary, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 July 2025

And because of that, it’s shielded us from the terrible things that happen downstream in the supply chain. —Alexandra Harrell, Sourcing Journal, 8 July 2025

An exercise in terrible comedic taste could have followed, but King of the Hill plays it with odd pathos. —Daniel Dockery, Vulture, 7 July 2025

Much of the prewar urban housing stock was genuinely terrible — many people lacked access to a full bathroom or even a flush toilet. —Marina Bolotnikova, Vox, 7 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin terribilis, from terrēre to frighten — more at terror

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2c

Phrases Containing terrible

• enfant terrible

Rhymes for terrible

• arable
• bearable
• parable
• wearable
• repairable
• unbearable

Kids Definition

terrible

adjective

ter·​ri·​ble ˈter-ə-bəl 

1

: causing terror or awe : fearful, dreadful

a terrible disaster

2

a

: very great in degree

made a terrible mess

a terrible cold

b

: very bad in quality

terrible music

terribly

-blē 

adverb