horrid

adjective

hor·​rid ˈhȯr-əd 

ˈhär-

1

: innately offensive or repulsive:

a

: inspiring horror : shocking

horrid living conditions

b

: inspiring disgust or loathing : nasty

a horrid man

c

: extremely bad or unpleasant : horrible

the tenor bell … gives out a horrid discordant noise

—Robert Graves

2

archaic : rough, bristling

horridly adverb

horridness noun

Synonyms

• awful
• horrible
• ugly
• disgusting
• hideous
• sickening
• dreadful
• shocking
• obscene
• obnoxious
• offensive
• nasty

Examples of horrid in a Sentence

People there are living in horrid conditions.

He's a horrid little man.

Recent Examples on the Web

Despite the horrid start, Milton still has the trust from Schottenheimer and the coaching staff. —Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 Aug. 2025

Jones’ is highly effective as her Lady Anne settles on a delightful balance of power and pain, while Goldstein portrays her Elizabeth with necessary devastation inside a desperate and horrid situation. —David John Chávez, Mercury News, 30 July 2025

Compressed learning continues to exact a horrid cost. —James Folta, Literary Hub, 30 July 2025

Making the Great White North our fifty first state is a particularly horrid idea. —Walter E Block, Oc Register, 21 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Latin horridus "bristly, rough, uncouth, shivering with cold, inspiring dread," from horrēre "to be stiffly erect, bristle (of hair, weapons, plants), shudder, shiver" + -idus, adjective suffix of quality — more at horror entry 1

First Known Use

1590, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for horrid

• florid
• torrid

Kids Definition

horrid

adjective

hor·​rid ˈhȯr-əd 

ˈhär-

1

: inspiring horror : shocking

2

a

: arousing disgust : nasty

a horrid man

b

: horrible sense 2

had horrid manners

horridly adverb

horridness noun