terrific

adjective

ter·​rif·​ic tə-ˈri-fik How to pronounce terrific (audio)
1
: unusually fine : magnificent
terrific weather
2
: extraordinary
terrific speed
3
a
: exciting or fit to excite fear or awe
a terrific thunderstorm
b
: very bad : frightful
terrifically adverb

Examples of terrific in a Sentence

She's given me some terrific ideas. Your test scores were terrific. They did a terrific job painting the house. I had a terrific time. I've recovered completely. In fact, I feel terrific. We were hit by a terrific snowstorm last week.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
In less than 25 minutes, Jarrett provided a terrific start to what the Bears could market as a fun tear-off calendar of one-a-day Gradyisms. Dan Wiederer, Chicago Tribune, 14 Mar. 2025 There's Connie Britton...Dan [Stevens] was terrific. Faisal Kutty, Newsweek, 12 Mar. 2025 Not only is Emily a massive book nerd, but she’s also got plenty of experience talking to rock stars, so this should be a terrific event. Erik Pedersen, Orange County Register, 7 Mar. 2025 Fortunately this is a terrific cast that also avoids overplaying the melodramatic undertones here, keeping it believably human all the way. Pete Hammond, Deadline, 7 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for terrific

Word History

Etymology

Latin terrificus, from terrēre to frighten

First Known Use

1667, in the meaning defined at sense 3b

Time Traveler
The first known use of terrific was in 1667

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Terrific.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/terrific. Accessed 18 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

terrific

adjective
ter·​rif·​ic tə-ˈrif-ik How to pronounce terrific (audio)
1
: causing terror : terrible
terrific destruction
2
: very great in degree : extraordinary
a car going at terrific speed
3
: unusually good
makes terrific chili
terrifically adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on terrific

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