Advertisement

Advertisement

View synonyms for

terribly

[ ter-uh-blee ]

adverb

  1. in a terrible manner.
  2. Informal. extremely; very:

    It's terribly late. I'm terribly sorry.



ˈٱ

/ ˈɛəɪ /

adverb

  1. in a terrible manner
  2. (intensifier)

    you're terribly kind

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of terribly1

First recorded in 1520–30; terrible + -ly
Discover More

Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Wallace revealed that his mother recently died, adding that it was "terribly sad" that she had spent the last few days of her life reading "horrible things" about him.

From

But he said it was a "pragmatic decision" to retain the commission rather than abolishing it "only then to recreate something that would not look terribly dissimilar".

From

Their shared vitriol is palpable and terribly compelling, especially as they navigate this season in the arms of their respective new partners.

From

Deary, whose Horrible Histories series have sold millions around the world and been turned into a TV franchise, said Corder had been convicted on circumstantial evidence and suffered terribly as a result.

From

He added, “It wasn’t a terribly difficult conversation at all, because she’s so amazingly candid about that — and about pretty much everything.”

From

Advertisement

Discover More

More About Terribly

doesterribly mean?

Terribly means in a way that’s terrible—awfully, horribly, or extremely bad.

The adjective terrible has a few different meanings, but the adverb form terribly is usually based on its sense meaning extremely bad or horrible, as in I did terribly on that test or The children behaved terribly this morning.

Terribly is also commonly used to mean very or extremely, as in We’re terribly sorry. When used this way, it’s an intensifier—a word used to strengthen or emphasize the word it modifies.

This sense of the word is commonly used in negative constructions, such as not terribly exciting, which means the same thing as not very exciting.

Example: I’m not terribly interested in going on a trip with Jeff, especially since I’ve heard he drives terribly.

Where doesterribly come from?

The first records of the word terribly come from the 1400s. Terrible comes from the Latin terribilis, which ultimately derives from the Latin verb ٱŧ, meaning “to frighten” or “to terrify.” ձŧ is also the basis of terrify, terrifying, and terror.

Terrible is most popularly used to simply mean “really bad,” in much the same way that horrible and awful are often used. The adverb awfully is a close synonym for terribly both when it means “very bad” and when it means “very.” When used to mean “very,” it’s perhaps even more commonly used in negative ways, such as saying that two things are not terribly different or that something is not terribly exciting.

Did you know ... ?

are some other forms related to terribly?

are some synonyms for terribly?

are some words that share a root or word element with terribly?

are some words that often get used in discussing terribly?

How isterribly used in real life?

Both senses of the word terribly are commonly used.

Try usingterribly!

Which of the following words is NOT a synonym of terribly?

A. awfully
B. horribly
C. badly
D. nicely

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement


terrible twosterricolous