terrible
word
/ˈtɛɹəbəɫ/
TE-ruh-buhl
/tˈɛɹəbəl/
TE-ruh-buhl
Definition
Very bad or unpleasant. It can also mean causing fear or terror, but is most often used to describe something negative or of poor quality.
Usage & Nuances
Common in informal and neutral speech. Used with feelings ('terrible pain'), experiences ('terrible day'), and sometimes for emphasis. Not as strong as 'horrific'. Can sometimes mean 'very' in informal positive phrases ('terrible good'), but that's rare.
Spanish: terrible - horriblePortuguese (BR): terrível - horrívelPortuguese (PT): terrível - horrívelChinese (Simplified): 糟糕的 - 可怕的Chinese (Traditional): 糟糕的 - 可怕的Hindi: भयानक - बहुत बुराArabic: فظيع - سيئ للغايةBengali: ভয়াবহ - খারাপRussian: ужасный - отвратительныйJapanese: ひどい - おそろしいVietnamese: kinh khủng - tệ hạiKorean: 끔찍한 - 형편없는Turkish: korkunç - berbatUrdu: خوفناک - بہت خرابIndonesian: mengerikan - sangat buruk
Example Sentences
It was a terrible storm last night.
basic
I feel terrible about forgetting your birthday.
basic
The movie was so terrible that we left halfway through.
natural
He made a terrible mistake at work today.
natural
Honestly, my sense of direction is terrible—I get lost everywhere.
natural
This food tastes terrible.
basic