Terribly: meaning, definitions and examples

๐Ÿ˜ฑ
Add to dictionary

terribly

 

[ หˆterษ™bli ]

Adverb
Context #1 | Adverb

used to emphasize the degree of something negative

In a very unsatisfactory or inadequate manner; very badly.

Synonyms

awfully, dreadfully, horribly, poorly.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

arrow down
Word Description / Examples
terribly

Used to describe something extremely bad or to emphasize a strong feeling.

  • I'm terribly sorry for being late.
  • He felt terribly sick after eating the old food.
awfully

Used to indicate something very bad or to intensify an adjective. Can sometimes be used in a colloquial and informal manner.

  • The weather is awfully cold today.
  • She behaved awfully at the party.
dreadfully

Used to describe something extremely unpleasant or bad. It has a slightly more literary and formal tone.

  • The performance was dreadfully boring.
  • She felt dreadfully alone after moving to the new city.
horribly

Used to describe something very bad or something that causes horror. It usually carries a strong negative connotation.

  • The accident was horribly tragic.
  • He treated her horribly, which made everyone upset.
poorly

Used to describe something done in a bad or inadequate way, often related to performance or health.

  • The project was handled poorly from the beginning.
  • She has been feeling poorly since last week.

Examples of usage

  • He played terribly in the match yesterday.
  • She felt terribly sorry for what she had done.
  • The weather was terribly cold.
  • The food tasted terribly salty.
  • I slept terribly last night.
Context #2 | Adverb

used to describe something causing fear or dread

In a way that causes terror; extremely.

Synonyms

frightfully, horrifically, terrifyingly.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

arrow down
Word Description / Examples
terribly

Used in both formal and informal settings to express something very bad or to add emphasis. It can have a negative connotation.

  • I'm terribly sorry for the inconvenience.
  • The weather was terribly hot.
frightfully

Typically used in a formal or somewhat old-fashioned context to signify something very bad or shocking, often used to emphasize exaggeration.

  • He was frightfully rude at the party.
  • The storm was frightfully intense.
horrifically

Used to describe something extremely shocking and often involving a sense of horror. Typically used in serious or dramatic contexts.

  • The accident was horrifically gruesome.
  • The crime was horrifically violent.
terrifyingly

Used to express something that causes extreme fear. Often related to situations that are truly frightening.

  • The haunted house was terrifyingly real.
  • The movie was terrifyingly suspenseful.

Examples of usage

  • The news of the accident was terribly shocking.
  • She was terribly afraid of spiders.
  • He felt terribly nervous before the presentation.

Translations

Translations of the word "terribly" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น terrivelmente

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคฌเคนเฅเคค เคฌเฅเคฐเฅ€ เคคเคฐเคน เคธเฅ‡

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช schrecklich

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ sangat

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะถะฐั…ะปะธะฒะพ

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ strasznie

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ใฒใฉใ

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท terriblement

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ terriblemente

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท korkunรง bir ลŸekilde

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ๋”์ฐ์ด

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ุจุดุฏุฉ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ straลกnฤ›

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ straลกne

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ้žๅธธ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ straลกno

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ hrikalega

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ า›ะพั€า›ั‹ะฝั‹ัˆั‚ั‹ ั‚าฏั€ะดะต

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒกแƒแƒจแƒ˜แƒœแƒšแƒแƒ“

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ dษ™hลŸษ™tli

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ terriblemente

Etymology

The word 'terribly' originated from the Middle English word 'terrible' which meant 'causing terror or fear'. Over time, the adverb form 'terribly' evolved to describe something done in a very unsatisfactory or inadequate manner. It has been commonly used in the English language to emphasize the intensity of negative situations or emotions.

See also: terrific, terrorism, terrorist.

Word Frequency Rank

Position #8,976 indicates this is an advanced-level word. While not essential for basic communication, it will enhance your ability to understand and create more nuanced content.