Terribly: meaning, definitions and examples
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terribly
[ˈterəbli ]
Definitions
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?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| terribly |
Used to describe something extremely bad or to emphasize a strong feeling.
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| awfully |
Used to indicate something very bad or to intensify an adjective. Can sometimes be used in a colloquial and informal manner.
|
| dreadfully |
Used to describe something extremely unpleasant or bad. It has a slightly more literary and formal tone.
|
| horribly |
Used to describe something very bad or something that causes horror. It usually carries a strong negative connotation.
|
| poorly |
Used to describe something done in a bad or inadequate way, often related to performance or health.
|
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.
used to describe something causing fear or dread
In a way that causes terror; extremely.
Synonyms
frightfully, horrifically, terrifyingly.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| 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.
|
| frightfully |
Typically used in a formal or somewhat old-fashioned context to signify something very bad or shocking, often used to emphasize exaggeration.
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| horrifically |
Used to describe something extremely shocking and often involving a sense of horror. Typically used in serious or dramatic contexts.
|
| terrifyingly |
Used to express something that causes extreme fear. Often related to situations that are truly frightening.
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Examples of usage
- The news of the accident was terribly shocking.
- She was terribly afraid of spiders.
- He felt terribly nervous before the presentation.
Interesting Facts
Etymology
- Originating from the word 'terrible', which comes from the Latin 'terribilis', meaning fearful or dreadful.
- The suffix '-ly' is often added to adjectives to form adverbs that describe how something is done, giving a feeling of intensity.
Psychology
- Using the term can amplify feelings of anxiety or distress, as it expresses a sense of severity.
- People often use extreme words like this to make their feelings clearer, especially in difficult situations.
Pop Culture
- In movies and shows, characters might describe an experience or event as 'terribly' challenging, emphasizing their struggle for dramatic effect.
- The phrase 'terribly fun' is a common contradiction used in entertainment to create humor around unexpected joy.
Literature
- Authors often use 'terribly' to convey deep emotion, emphasizing the intensity of a character’s feelings or actions.
- Poets might pair it with words like 'beautiful' to highlight the juxtaposition of bad and good in life.
Daily Life
- 'Terribly' can express strong feelings in conversation, like saying you are 'terribly sorry' helps convey sincere apology.
- People may use it in everyday situations, such as saying they were 'terribly late' to emphasize how late they really were.
Translations
Translations of the word "terribly" in other languages:
🇵🇹 terrivelmente
🇮🇳 बहुत बुरी तरह से
🇩🇪 schrecklich
🇮🇩 sangat
🇺🇦 жахливо
🇵🇱 strasznie
🇯🇵 ひどく
🇫🇷 terriblement
🇪🇸 terriblemente
🇹🇷 korkunç bir şekilde
🇰🇷 끔찍이
🇸🇦 بشدة
🇨🇿 strašně
🇸🇰 strašne
🇨🇳 非常
🇸🇮 strašno
🇮🇸 hrikalega
🇰🇿 қорқынышты түрде
🇬🇪 საშინლად
🇦🇿 dəhşətli
🇲🇽 terriblemente