terrible

/ˈtɛrəbəl/

/ˈtɛrɪbəl/

The original meaning of terrible was anything that causes terror. That meaning still applies, but mostly this is a word for anything really bad.

Terrible used to be reserved for things that caused fear and terror, but today we use the word to describe anything awful, lousy, or just plain bad. People like saying "That movie was terrible!" or "The Yankees are terrible!" If you get a D on a test, you might tell your friends the test (or teacher) is terrible. Or you might also say, "I am terrible at taking tests."

Definitions of terrible

1. adjective

   exceptionally bad or displeasing
   “terrible handwriting”

   synonyms: abominable, abysmal, atrocious, awful, dreadful, painful, unspeakable, vile

   bad

   having undesirable or negative qualities
2. adjective

   intensely or extremely bad or unpleasant in degree or quality
   “a terrible cough”

   synonyms: severe, wicked

   intense

   possessing or displaying a distinctive feature to a heightened degree
3. adjective

   extreme in degree or extent or amount or impact
   synonyms: awful, frightful, tremendous

   extraordinary

   beyond what is ordinary or usual; highly unusual or exceptional or remarkable
4. adjective

   causing fear or dread or terror
   “a terrible curse”

   synonyms: awful, dire, direful, dread, dreaded, dreadful, fearful, fearsome, frightening, horrendous, horrific

   alarming

   frightening because of an awareness of danger