A1adjective1K

Terrible

UK /["/ˈterəbl/"]/US /["/ˈterəbl/"]/

Definition

very unpleasant; making you feel very unhappy, upset or frightened

In simple words: Very bad or awful.

Examples

  • The weather was terrible during our vacation.
  • I had a terrible headache all day yesterday.
  • The movie was so terrible that I couldn't finish it.
  • Her terrible mistake cost the team the game.
  • He told a terrible joke that no one found funny.

Usage notes

Use 'terrible' when describing something that causes strong negative feelings, like bad events or poor quality. Avoid in formal writing; consider alternatives like 'dreadful' or 'atrocious.'

Grammar pattern

standalone adjective

Memory hint

Think of 'tear' and 'able': it tears your mood because it's so bad.

Collocations

  • be
  • feel
  • look
  • really
  • truly
  • absolutely
  • for
  • be
  • feel
  • look
  • really
  • truly
  • absolutely
  • for
  • be
  • feel
  • look
  • really
  • truly
  • absolutely
  • for
  • be
  • feel
  • look
  • really
  • truly
  • absolutely
  • for

Synonyms

  • awful
  • dreadful
  • horrible
  • atrocious
  • appalling

Antonyms

  • wonderful
  • excellent
  • great

Common mistakes

  • 'Terrible' is often confused with 'terrifying'; they mean different things.
  • Some learners mistakenly use 'terrible' to describe good things.
  • Often used in hyperbolic contexts, like 'That movie was terrible!'