terribleter‧ri‧ble /ˈterəbəl/ ●●● S1 W3 adjective 
Their son had been injured in a terrible accident. We’re worried that something terrible might have happened to Greg. a terrible storm► see thesaurus at horrible2very bad SYN awful: The hotel was absolutely terrible. I’d better write this down; I have a terrible memory.► see thesaurus at bad3making you feel afraid or shocked: There was a terrible noise and the roof caved in. She wept when she heard the terrible news.4to a very great degree SYN grave: You’re making a terrible mistake.GRAMMARTerrible is not used with ‘very’. You say: · I feel absolutely terrible today. ✗Don’t say: I feel very terrible today.Grammar guide ‒ ADJECTIVESTHESAURUS– Meanings 1 & 2terrible/awful (also dreadful especially British English) very bad: · The journey was terrible – it took six hours.· The food was good but we had terrible service.· It’s such an awful programme! How can you watch it?· He looked dreadful.horrible very bad and unpleasant – used especially when something has a strong effect on you and you feel shocked, annoyed, or sick: · This soup tastes horrible.· I got a horrible shock when I saw the bill.· a horrible accident· a horrible thing to say to someoneappalling terrible – especially in a way that is shocking. Appalling is stronger and a little more formal than terrible or horrible: · The refugees are living in appalling conditions.· The teacher said my handwriting was appalling.disgusting terrible – used about a taste, smell, habit etc, often one that makes you feel sick: · The smell was disgusting and I had to go out.· Do you have to bite your nails? It’s a disgusting habit.lousy informal terrible – used especially to express annoyance: · I’ve had a lousy day at the office.· This area is a lousy place to live.hopeless very bad and difficult – used when there is no chance of success or improvement: · We were trying to pay off our debts but it was a hopeless situation.· He was given the almost hopeless task of trying to negotiate a ceasefire.diabolical British English extremely bad – used to express great disapproval of an action or event: · The prices are diabolical.· a diabolical waste of money· McAndrew gave a diabolical performance on Saturday.
WORD ORIGINterrible
Origin:
1300-1400 Old French, Latin terribilis, from terrere ‘to frighten’EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- a terrible accident
- I have a terrible headache.
- The movie was terrible.
- He had some idea of what was ahead of him, for he knew the terrible tales about the Robemaker's Workshops.
- He says it's terrible, because the aircraft has such a good safety record.
- I was withdrawing from drugs and in a terrible state.
- It is hard to believe that you will be able to make something happen to get you out of this terrible mess.
- Students like Andrea are caught in a terrible bind.
- The attitude they have towards you is terrible, like you're lower than the dirt they tread on.
- Yet beyond the immediate and terrible losses suffered, the fire had lasting consequences for the lives of Californians.
THESAURUS
(also dreadful especially British English) very bad: · The journey was terrible – it took six hours.· The food was good but we had terrible service.· It’s such an awful programme! How can you watch it?· He looked dreadful.
very bad and unpleasant – used especially when something has a strong effect on you and you feel shocked, annoyed, or sick: · This soup tastes horrible.· I got a horrible shock when I saw the bill.· a horrible accident· a horrible thing to say to someone
terrible – especially in a way that is shocking. Appalling is stronger and a little more formal than terrible or horrible: · The refugees are living in appalling conditions.· The teacher said my handwriting was appalling.
terrible – used about a taste, smell, habit etc, often one that makes you feel sick: · The smell was disgusting and I had to go out.· Do you have to bite your nails? It’s a disgusting habit.
informal terrible – used especially to express annoyance: · I’ve had a lousy day at the office.· This area is a lousy place to live.
very bad and difficult – used when there is no chance of success or improvement: · We were trying to pay off our debts but it was a hopeless situation.· He was given the almost hopeless task of trying to negotiate a ceasefire.
British English extremely bad – used to express great disapproval of an action or event: · The prices are diabolical.· a diabolical waste of money· McAndrew gave a diabolical performance on Saturday.
Longman Language Activatorbad films/books/methods/food etc something that is bad is of a low standard, because it has been done badly, designed badly, performed badly etc: · The movie was so bad that we left before it finished.· It's the worst book she's ever written.· Opponents of the plan say it is a bad way of managing city traffic.· In the 1980s, their cars had a bad reputation for reliability.· Their latest album is even worse than their last one.
spoken not good at all: · I wouldn't go there - the food's no good.· I've tried that diet, and it's no good.
very bad: · That's such an awful programme! How can you watch it?· Your handwriting is appalling.· The food was lousy and the service was terrible.
especially British very bad: · The coffee tasted dreadful!· "How did you like the film?'' "I thought it was dreadful.''
British informal /garbage especially American use this to describe something you think is very bad: · "What did you think of his speech?'' "I thought it was rubbish!''· Most of the food in these fast food joints is garbage.a load of rubbish/garbage: · I don't know why you're watching that film, it's a load of old rubbish.· I've never read such a load of garbage in my life.
informal use this to describe something you think is very bad -- some people think this word is offensive: · There's nothing but crap on television these days.· The stereo's great but the rest of the car is crap.a load of crap: · Someone told me it was a really interesting museum, but I thought it was a load of crap.
especially American, informal if you say that something sucks , you think it is very bad -- some people think this word is offensive: · Let's not go there -- the food sucks.
bad events/experiences/weather etc not at all pleasant, enjoyable, or successful: · If the weather's bad, we could go to the museum instead.· bad housing conditionsbad news (=news of a bad event): · I'm afraid I have some bad news.a bad day/year/time etc (=when a lot of unpleasant things happen): · This was a very bad year for the banking industry.· It had been a bad day, and I just wanted to go home.
very bad: · The weather has been terrible lately.· Traffic in the downtown Boston area is awful.· Conditions in the hospital were dreadful. The place was falling apart and it was understaffed.
so bad that you are shocked: · Living conditions in the refugee camps were atrocious.· The appalling weather continued, with harsh winds, fogs and heavy rain.
extremely bad, unpleasant, and often frightening: · It was a horrendous storm.· She is still recovering from a horrendous car accident.
extremely bad, especially in a way that is frightening or upsetting: · It was a horrific experience. We really thought we were going to die.· The race was stopped after a horrific accident in which two drivers were killed.
spoken informal use this to talk about an extremely bad experience or situation: · The traffic coming in to work this morning was a nightmare.· The President's trip turned out to be a nightmare for his security staff.be a complete nightmare: · Our vacation was a complete nightmare. The weather was awful and our hotel was worse.
very bad at doing something also useless British very bad at doing something, or doing something very badly: · Poor Daniel. He loves football but he's a terrible player.· She'll never pass the exam -- she's an awful student.· Make sure you bring a map -- Erin has a hopeless sense of direction.terrible/awful/hopeless at: · My brother's a computer genius but he's useless at everything else.terrible/awful/hopeless at doing something: · The manager made John a barman as he was obviously hopeless at waiting on tables.
especially spoken very bad at doing something: · I'm such a lousy cook that I usually eat out.lousy at: · I was lousy at biology in school.
use this about someone who is so bad at doing something that you have no respect for them: · She's clever, but as a teacher she's pathetic.· I can't believe we wasted our money on that pathetic comedian last night.
use this about someone who cannot do their job at all and should not be doing it: · This government is totally incompetent.· Legislators are planning a new bill that will protect patients from incompetent doctors.
informal to be very bad at something even though you would like to be able to do it properly: can't draw/paint/cook/act etc to save your life: · Adrian can't draw to save his life.· You don't expect me to take part in the play, do you? I can't act to save my life.· The truth is I couldn't write poetry to save my life.
something bad that happens to you · You shouldn't let one bad experience affect your decision.· Being arrested was one of the worst experiences of my life.· My passport was stolen and the police said they couldn't help me. It was a terrible experience.
a very unpleasant or frightening experience when you feel that you have no control over what is happening: · Starting school can be a nightmare for some children.· As the ship went down, people were rushing around in the dark screaming and yelling. It was an absolute nightmare.nightmare of: · The hostages described life in the prison camp as a nightmare of fear and uncertainty.
a painful, frightening, or worrying experience, especially one that continues for a long time: · The three week trial turned out to be an emotional ordeal for everyone involved.· The hostages were relieved that their long ordeal was finally over.
a very bad experience or shock that has an effect on you: · June never recovered from the trauma of her husband's violent death.· Multiple-personality disorder is usually caused by early childhood trauma.
someone who often forgets things to not be good at remembering facts or information: · I'm sorry for forgetting to phone her - I have a terrible memory.have a bad/terrible/awful etc memory for: · I have a bad memory for names.
usually someone who is forgetful often forgets things, especially things they have to do: · My grandfather's getting so forgetful - I have to remind him to take his medication.· She was easily distracted and forgetful at school.
someone who is absent-minded often forgets things because they are thinking about other things: · He's a brilliant scientist but hopelessly absent-minded.
British informal to not be able to remember facts or information, even for a short time: · You'd better remind him about the party - he's got a memory like a sieve!
bad weather when it is raining, snowing, or very cold: · The game was cancelled because of bad weather.a spell/run of bad weather: · Once this spell of bad weather is over, we can start work on the garden.in bad weather: · At least 20 people died when the aircraft crashed in bad weather.
especially spoken very unpleasant, cold, wet etc: · Awful weather, isn't it?· "What's it like outside?" "Terrible."it is awful/terrible/horrible: · It's been absolutely horrible all day.
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES Thanks for everything – we had a great time. The dogs next door are a real nuisance. It was a crying shame that they lost the game. I had terrible toothache all last night.
· The news was a terrible blow for his family.
· a horrific crash in which three teenage boys were killed
(also a dreadful crime British English)· What made him commit such a terrible crime?
· She was in a terrible dilemma because she loved both men.
· It was a terrible disaster which carried away a large part of the hillside.
· The crew of the ship met a terrible fate.
(=someone who flirts a lot) She’s an incorrigible flirt!
She’s an incorrigible flirt!· How do you keep your hair in such perfect condition?
· Why do doctors have such terrible handwriting?
Thanks for everything – we had a great time.· I’ve got a really bad headache.
(=very bad)· Some of the victims suffered terrible injuries.
(=not funny)· Dad was known for his bad jokes.
(=who does not tell believable lies)· You're a rotten liar, Julia. What really happened?
· A student with a poor memory may struggle in school.
· At that time, being thin was considered a terrible misfortune for women.
· It would be a terrible mistake to marry him.
· There have been some serious misunderstandings which have led to conflict.
· ‘I’m afraid I have bad news,’ said Jackson.· Have you heard the terrible news about Simon?
The dogs next door are a real nuisance.· The trial was a dreadful ordeal.
· I woke up with a terrible pain in my side.
· The sport can exact a terrible price from its participants.
· Caesar returned to Rome to exact a terrible revenge.
· I know it’s a terrible thing to say, but I wish he’d just go away.
(=by someone suffering great pain or fear)· We were woken late that night by the most terrible screams.
(=a secret about something bad)· I’m sure every family has a few dark secrets.
It was a crying shame that they lost the game.· Her death was a terrible shock to everyone.
(=with many spots or marks)· I had terrible skin when I was a teenager.· My skin’s really bad at the moment.
· His apartment was in a terrible state.
· This was the worst storm for 50 years.
· It’s been a terrible strain.
· He ran back home in a terrible temper.
I had terrible toothache all last night.· The traffic was terrible this morning.
· His death is a terrible tragedy for his family.
· I’ve been having terrible trouble sleeping.
· She could not bring herself to tell them the awful truth.
· We came home early because of the awful weather.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADVERB· Suddenly I realized how terrible the fight would be for Elizabeth.· It's enough for him to remind you just how terrible the other congregation is.· By Andrew Rawnsley HOW terrible it can be when your dreams come true.· He complained to me about how terrible it was.· She couldn't wait until she was old. How terrible to be thirty and not to have realised one's ambitions!· You listen to how good you are, then how terrible you are.· She realized how terrible the noises of war must be.· They begin their pitch by emphasizing how terrible it is to be fat.
· For the yellow menace.was even bigger and more terrible than they knew.· Earth gave birth to her last and most frightful offspring, a creature more terrible than any that had gone before.· The hopeless cry came again, louder, nearer, and more terrible than before.· Hermes warned him that if he persisted in his stubborn silence, he should suffer still more terrible things.· As time passed, the face in the picture grew slowly more terrible.· For Dorian, this was more terrible than the dead body in the room.· For a long time she waited, and nothing more terrible came to enter that silence than her own dark imaginings.· But do you not think the life of the Thirties, the daily life, was much more terrible?
· The most terrible bad form. 5.· And there Dionysus showed himself in his most terrible aspect.· That question was decided for her in a most terrible way.· The fire was the most terrible enemy our men met that day.· And they've left the most terrible mess in their bedrooms.· It seemed to concern his father and the stranger, and as such, must be of the most terrible importance.· The most terrible, awful thing that could have happened.· Bob Dole is the most terrible of the candidates for the Republican nomination, until you consider all the others.
· Oh, but the damage was so terrible, the mess so unspeakable, that he did not know where to begin.· The smell is so terrible you want to throw up.· At first I thought he would learn because he made us look so terrible.· Nothing half so terrible had happened to her; no one she loved had been killed or even hurt.· Its disappearance was quickly succeeded by the explosion. So terrible a spectacle is seldom witnessed.· His screams were so terrible that none who ever heard them forgot them till their dying day.· All the sentences they give me to say are so terrible.
NOUN· His body felt that it had been in a terrible accident.· A terrible accident befalling strangers but truly affecting each of us so deeply.· One slip or lapse and a terrible accident would never be far away.· Because of this terrible accident, we have been offered some-thing precious.· For a moment he thought he had been in a terrible accident.· If it was murder and not some terrible accident.· And he felt, obscurely, that the terrible accident needed to be given coherent thought.
· It was hard to imagine that children were willingly enduring such terrible conditions.· They were in terrible condition, Scotch tape on some of them, others all beat up and scuffed and folded.· Roads in the liberated areas are few and in terrible condition.· When she was dumped she was in terrible condition, coping with seven young pups.· The population in the north and east are now living in terrible conditions.· Disorder was accentuated by the terrible conditions.· Q My hair is in terrible condition.
· But what could be strong enough to drive a man from his homeland, to face terrible dangers in the skies?· Yet he must consider that possibility, for if it was true, he was in terrible danger.· But now they're in terrible danger.· But what probably worried them more was the terrible danger Berthold was putting himself in.
· On the first two occasions it preceded some terrible event, so he is in a state of great apprehension.· And how will the fractured Cappadora family survive this terrible event?· Police added that at one stage he had trouble in speaking about the terrible events.· As Theseus listened, overwhelmed by this sum of terrible events, Hippolytus still breathing was carried in.· There are three lessons to be drawn from this terrible event.· Felix Jaeger cursed the dark destiny that had dragged him into these terrible events.· The valley seemed to be waiting, holding its breath in anticipation of some terrible event.· As he regains consciousness, he gradually remembers the terrible events of the last few days.
· The couple have had months of treatment for their terrible injuries.· I looked after her, feeling like some one who has just sustained a terrible injury from which he will never recover.· This is a good quality in that we will fight on despite terrible injuries, Sir.· The appeal was launched with the help of former patients whose recovery from terrible injuries has been helped by such treatment.· They were horrified the next morning when they saw that the child was covered in terrible injuries.· Both badgers and terriers often suffer terrible injuries.· Police said yesterday the terrible injuries on their bodies, washed up on a beach, could be deceptive.
· Have I made a terrible mistake?· I made the terrible mistake of returning home to Cheyenne to practice law.· Once I drank too much and spent the night with her, which was a terrible mistake.· I wanted to make up for the terrible mistakes I had made during his childhood and youth.· It was all a terrible mistake.· I was afraid that if I appeared too eager, it might dawn on the woman she had made a terrible mistake.· Frankly, it all looked like a terrible mistake.· Rcagan had no choice but to withdraw the Marines, and in effect admit a terrible mistake.
· What terrible news could it contain?· Sit down, Benjamin, I have terrible news.· He was, in fact, trying to break the terrible news gently to his father.· A few hours later came the terrible news.· At last I could share my terrible news with my friend.· At this last, Seton left them, to make for his own castle near Cockenzie, with his terrible news.· The man Who laughs is merely some one Who has not yet heard the terrible news.· It is terrible news for publicists and headline hunters everywhere but the secret has to be revealed.
· It must have been a terrible ordeal.· I have no doubt this has been a terrible ordeal for you and the verdict is a personal and professional catastrophe.· Having a will professionally drawn up is not a terrible ordeal and it need not take long to explain your wishes.· It was a terrible ordeal for my hon. and learned Friend and for his family.· The strain has been a terrible ordeal.
· It was five minutes before he stopped yelling, before he started to absorb the terrible pain that burnt through his flesh.· She looked into his eyes and saw terrible pain and inconsolable grief.· In the terrible pain and surprise of the moment, both my pistols went off and fell from my hands.· He wanted to, but to be so close would expose him to that terrible pain of loss.· And after about three days, I was in terrible pain and started to bleed a lot.· It did not last but the parting seems to have been no terrible pain, the memory very fond.· Asleep, he'd felt a terrible pain in his upper arm.
· Save me from this terrible place!· It was a terrible place, he said.· Digby was in that terrible place which comedians fear most of all - the gag swamp.· How could I get away from this terrible place?· I don't expect them to leave here with a catalogue of stories about what a terrible place Whitely is.· A terrible place, St Jude's Passage.· What is this terrible place ...?· It was the most terrible place she had ever been in in her life.
· Being told I had cancer was a terrible shock.· It gave us all a terrible shock.· This will be a terrible shock to her.· I had a terrible shock when you opened your eyes and looked so steadily at me.· He looked at the chair by the fireside and got a terrible shock.· I hadn't seen them carry her in from the car so it was a terrible shock for me.· Losing your aunt like that must have been a terrible shock.
· And he was in a terrible state.· They did not tell her this, but they reproached her for hiding her terrible state from them, her own sisters.· He was in that terrible state of lumbar pain where mobility involves a slow ambulatory squat.· It was in a terrible state when we moved in but we cleaned it up and made it quite homely.· He also had drains that were in a terrible state and therefore wanted one of his sons to become a plumber.· She hurried round to Mozart's apartment, where she found Constanze in a terrible state, though trying to keep calm.
· What terrible things I have done!· Instinctively we knew that terrible things were going to happen in our elderly aunts peaceful living room.· She knew the terrible things her son had written to the girl after she had rejected him.· He was right, of course, Alistair had done terrible things to me.· Recently I have witnessed some terrible things.· When Kip first arrived a terrible thing had happened.· It was a horrible thing, a terrible thing, which could have deranged anybody in my opinion.· And the terrible thing is, Ray, part of him liked it.
· What terrible things I have done!· Throughout history terrible things have happened when one man or group believed themselves superior to the rest of us.· There are terrible things going on here.· Instinctively we knew that terrible things were going to happen in our elderly aunts peaceful living room.· No wonder she'd lied when so many terrible things had started happening all around her.· This is so despite the terrible things we learn when we look into the backgrounds of those who go beyond the limits.· We hear terrible things of your schooling system in my country, and I've met a lot of you.· Sleeping people do all kinds of terrible things to one another.
· I know you had a terrible time and the last thing I meant to do was to upset you.· It had been a terrible time for him, but it was all over.· I was the best-known face in East Anglia, but I was having a terrible time.· My father is angry at me for going away with my family at this terrible time.· It was a dark and terrible time.· She'd had a terrible time at the birth.· Amelia had a terrible time that winter.
· More often, however, they haunt that person alone and by so doing indicate some terrible tragedy is imminent.· They elope together, wander the country in search of work, and, finally, a terrible tragedy overtakes their children.
· All of a sudden the dynamite business was in terrible trouble.· When something goes wrong, as it always does, they are in terrible trouble.
· A careful read of this book will show that underpinning it is a terrible truth.· They had admitted terrible truths to them-selves, which the rest of us worked hard to deny.· They now knew the terrible truth, even though without a body they still could not mourn.· She could not discredit this terrible truth.
PHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES
1extremely severe in a way that causes harm or damage SYN horrible, awful: - As a result, the adult John is obsessed with food, has an overstocked fridge and is a good cook.
- Franca, said to be a good cook, was not a good cook, just an ingenious cook.
- He is a good cook, isn't he?
- My aunt and I are good cooks.
- Nils may be a good cook, but his time will be better spent away from the galley.
- Of motivation to get good grades in school or to be a good cook?
- To be a good cook you have to do a lot of things precisely, but it requires no understanding.
- Zelah was a good cook and he enjoyed the meal.
Their son had been injured in a terrible accident. We’re worried that something terrible might have happened to Greg. a terrible storm► see thesaurus at horrible2very bad SYN awful: The hotel was absolutely terrible. I’d better write this down; I have a terrible memory.► see thesaurus at bad3making you feel afraid or shocked: There was a terrible noise and the roof caved in. She wept when she heard the terrible news.4to a very great degree SYN grave: You’re making a terrible mistake.GRAMMARTerrible is not used with ‘very’. You say: · I feel absolutely terrible today. ✗Don’t say: I feel very terrible today.Grammar guide ‒ ADJECTIVESTHESAURUS– Meanings 1 & 2terrible/awful (also dreadful especially British English) very bad: · The journey was terrible – it took six hours.· The food was good but we had terrible service.· It’s such an awful programme! How can you watch it?· He looked dreadful.horrible very bad and unpleasant – used especially when something has a strong effect on you and you feel shocked, annoyed, or sick: · This soup tastes horrible.· I got a horrible shock when I saw the bill.· a horrible accident· a horrible thing to say to someoneappalling terrible – especially in a way that is shocking. Appalling is stronger and a little more formal than terrible or horrible: · The refugees are living in appalling conditions.· The teacher said my handwriting was appalling.disgusting terrible – used about a taste, smell, habit etc, often one that makes you feel sick: · The smell was disgusting and I had to go out.· Do you have to bite your nails? It’s a disgusting habit.lousy informal terrible – used especially to express annoyance: · I’ve had a lousy day at the office.· This area is a lousy place to live.hopeless very bad and difficult – used when there is no chance of success or improvement: · We were trying to pay off our debts but it was a hopeless situation.· He was given the almost hopeless task of trying to negotiate a ceasefire.diabolical British English extremely bad – used to express great disapproval of an action or event: · The prices are diabolical.· a diabolical waste of money· McAndrew gave a diabolical performance on Saturday.