Cool MateFabulous vs Terrific
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Fabulous
Top 2,000 (common)B2adjective
Terrific
Top 1,000 (very common)C1adjective
Most common: Terrific
| Fabulous | Terrific | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈfæbjələs/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈfæbjələs/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/təˈrɪfɪk/"]/🇺🇸 /["/təˈrɪfɪk/"]/ |
| Meaning | Really great or amazing | Very good or excellent. |
| Example | They put on a fabulous performance. | She did a terrific job presenting her project to the class. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | B2 | C1 |
| Part of speech | adjective | adjective |
| Collocations | fabulous time, fabulous outfit, fabulous performance, fabulous restaurant | terrific job, terrific idea, terrific time, terrific experience, terrific performance |
| Antonyms | ordinary, common, mediocre | terrible, awful, bad, dreadful |
| Common mistakes | Using 'fabulous' too frequently in ordinary situations., Confusing 'fabulous' with 'fable' or 'fabulousness'. | Confuse with 'terrible', which means the opposite., Use it too casually in formal or serious contexts., Use it to describe something bad. |
| Usage notes | Use 'fabulous' to describe something wonderfully impressive. It's suitable for both spoken and written contexts but may sound slightly exaggerated if overused in casual conversation. | Used to express enthusiasm or positivity, often in informal contexts. Avoid using in overly serious or formal discussions. |
Frequently asked questions: Fabulous vs Terrific
What's the difference between Fabulous and Terrific?
Fabulous: Really great or amazing Terrific: Very good or excellent.
Which is more common: Fabulous and Terrific?
Terrific is the most common in everyday English.
Which is more advanced: Fabulous and Terrific?
Terrific is the highest level, at C1, on the CEFR scale.
Are Fabulous and Terrific the same CEFR level?
Fabulous: B2, Terrific: C1 on the CEFR scale.
What part of speech are Fabulous and Terrific?
Fabulous: adjective, Terrific: adjective.
Can you show an example of each?
Fabulous: They put on a fabulous performance. Terrific: She did a terrific job presenting her project to the class.
Can I use Fabulous and Terrific interchangeably?
Not always. Fabulous and Terrific are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.