terribly
English
Etymology
Pronunciation
Adverb
terribly (comparative more terribly, superlative most terribly)
- (literary or dated) So as to cause terror or awe.
- The lion roared terribly.
- 1959, Anthony Burgess, Beds in the East (The Malayan Trilogy), published 1972, page 519:
- The mere sensuous impact of trumpet or saxophone, whatever it happened to be playing, was an echo, even though a faint echo, of that excitement and abandon. He wanted to taste, smell, hear: his senses were terribly alive.
- Very; extremely.
- He's terribly busy and you really shouldn't bother him.
- 2011 December 15, Felicity Cloake, “How to cook the perfect nut roast”, in Guardian[1]:
- The parsnip, stilton and chestnut combination may taste good, but it's not terribly decorative. In fact, dull's the word, a lingering adjectival ghost of nut roasts past that I'm keen to banish from the table.
- Very badly.
- She took part in the karaoke, but sang terribly.
Usage notes
- Adjectives to which "terribly" is often applied: wrong, sorry, important, difficult, hard, afraid, sad, bad, expensive, long, upset, exciting, fast, excited, slow, cold, hot, busy, concerned, pleased, interesting, painful, funny, lonely, ill, good, tired, strong, confused, serious, fond, old, angry, anxious, effective, depressed, familiar, attractive, happy, poor, hungry, sick, big, nice, small, dull, clever, dirty, proud, disappointing, sweet, original, ashamed, efficient, successful, jealous, simple, strange, cruel.
Synonyms
Translations
in a terrible manner
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very; extremely
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