terrible
Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English 5++LDOCE 5++ter·ri·ble /ˈterəbəl/ ●●● S1 W3 adjective 1 BADextremely severe in a way that causes harm or damage 剧烈的；厉害的；非常严重的 SYN horrible, awful Their son had been injured in a terrible accident. 他们的儿子在一次严重事故中受过伤。 We’re worried that something terrible might have happened to Greg. 我们担心格雷格有可能遇到了什么可怕的事情。 a terrible storm 猛烈的暴风雨► see thesaurus at horrible2 BAD ATvery bad 很糟的，极差的 SYN awful The hotel was absolutely terrible. 这家宾馆糟糕透了。 I’d better write this down; I have a terrible memory. 我最好把它记下来，我的记性很差。► see thesaurus at bad3 FRIGHTENEDmaking you feel afraid or shocked 可怕的，骇人的；令人震惊的 There was a terrible noise and the roof caved in. 随着一阵可怕的响声，房顶坍塌了。 She wept when she heard the terrible news. 她听说这个噩耗后痛哭流涕。4 to a very great degree 极度的，极其严重的 SYN grave You’re making a terrible mistake. 你犯了一个极大的错误。n THESAURUS – Meanings 1 & 2terrible/awful (also dreadful especially British English) very badThe 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 sickThis soup tastes horrible.I got a horrible shock when I saw the bill.a horrible accidenta 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 horribleThe 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 sickThe 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 annoyanceI’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 improvementWe 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 eventThe prices are diabolical.a diabolical waste of moneyMcAndrew gave a diabolical performance on Saturday.n GrammarTerrible is not used with ‘very’. You say: I feel absolutely terrible today. ✗Don’t say: I feel very terrible today.
Examples from the Corpus
terrible• The movie was terrible.• a terrible accident• He says it's terrible, because the aircraft has such a good safety record.• Students like Andrea are caught in a terrible bind.• I have a terrible headache.• 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.• It is hard to believe that you will be able to make something happen to get you out of this terrible mess.• I was withdrawing from drugs and in a terrible state.• He had some idea of what was ahead of him, for he knew the terrible tales about the Robemaker's Workshops.Origin terrible (1300-1400) Old French Latin terribilis, from terrere “to frighten”ter·ri·ble adjective →n GRAMMAR1 →n THESAURUS1LDOCE OnlineChineseSyllable
that extremely way causes a harm or Corpus severe in
terrible
ter‧ri‧ble S1 W3 /ˈterəbəl, ˈterɪbəl/
adjective
SYN horrible, awful:
Their son had been injured in a terrible accident.
We’re worried that something terrible might have happened to Greg.
a terrible storm
2. very bad
SYN awful:
The hotel was absolutely terrible.
I’d better write this down; I have a terrible memory.
3. making you feel afraid or shocked:
There was a terrible noise and the roof caved in.
She wept when she heard the terrible news.
4. to a very great degree
SYN grave:
You’re making a terrible mistake.
▪ terrible/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 someone
▪appalling 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.
ter‧ri‧ble S1 W3 /ˈterəbəl, ˈterɪbəl/
adjective Date: 1300-1400
Language: Old French
Origin: Latin terribilis, from terrere 'to frighten'
1. extremely severe in a way that causes harm or damage Language: Old French
Origin: Latin terribilis, from terrere 'to frighten'
SYN horrible, awful:
2. very bad
SYN awful:
3. making you feel afraid or shocked:
4. to a very great degree
SYN grave:
| THESAURUS |
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terrible very bad or unpleasant; making you feel unhappy, frightened, upset, ill, guilty or disapproving 指糟透了的、非常讨厌的、令人极不快的、可怕的、骇人的 ：◆ What terrible news! 多么骇人听闻的消息！ ◆ That's a terrible thing to say! 说这话太难听了！ awful ( very bad or unpleasant; used to describe sth that you do not like or that makes you feel depressed, ill, guilty or disapprovingrather
指很坏的、极讨厌的（用以形容令人沮丧、不舒服、内疚或不高兴的事物） ：◆ That's an awful colour. 那颜色难看得很。 ◆ The weather last summer was awful. 刚过去的夏季天气真糟糕。 horrible ( very unpleasant; used to describe sth that you do not likerather
指极坏的、十分讨厌的（用以形容令人不快的事物） ：◆ The coffee tasted horrible. 这咖啡难喝极了。 dreadful ( very bad or unpleasant; used to describe sth that you do not like or that you disapprove ofrather
especially
BrE 指糟糕透顶的、讨厌的（用以形容令人不快或反对的事物） ：◆ What dreadful weather! 多么讨厌的天气！ vile ( extremely bad or unpleasant指糟糕透顶的、可恶的、极坏的 ：◆ There was a vile smell coming from the room. 房间里传来令人恶心的气味。 ◆ He was in a vile mood. 他的心情坏极了。 horrendous ( extremely unpleasant and unacceptablerather
指讨厌得难以容忍的 ：◆ The traffic around the city was horrendous. 城里的交通糟透了。
Patterns
terrible/awful/horrible/dreadful for sba(n) terrible/awful/horrible/dreadful/vile thing a(n) terrible/awful/horrible/vile smell terrible/awful/horrible/dreadful/vile/horrendous conditions terrible/awful/horrible/dreadful/vile weather terrible/awful/dreadful news