Terrible Meaning
Terrible Definition & Usage
Causing fear, dread, or distress; horrifying or extremely unpleasant.
Examples
- "The movie had a terrible ending that left everyone shocked and speechless."
- "It was a terrible storm that lasted for hours, leaving widespread damage."
- "She gave a terrible performance that the audience couldn't stop criticizing."
- "The news of the earthquake was terrible; many lives were lost."
- "The food at the restaurant was terrible; it tasted like cardboard."
Extremely bad or disappointing, often used informally to exaggerate a minor issue.
Examples
- "That test was terrible! I think I failed every question."
- "I had a terrible time at the party—just sat in the corner the whole night."
- "It was a terrible day at work; I couldn't even get a coffee break."
- "My internet connection was terrible, I couldn't even load a single page."
- "I had a terrible headache all day long, couldn't focus on anything."
Used to exaggerate or intensify the severity of something, often in a sarcastic or playful manner.
Examples
- "She's a terrible singer, but she loves to perform at karaoke nights."
- "That was a terrible decision, but now we can’t change it."
- "His terrible attempt at cooking ended up with burnt toast and undercooked eggs."
- "The terrible traffic made me late for my appointment again."
- "The meeting went terribly, everyone was disagreeing on every point."
Cultural Context
The word 'terrible' originates from the Latin verb 'terrere', meaning 'to frighten'. Over time, the term evolved to express both literal and figurative senses of fear and distress. In modern usage, it is often used to describe anything unpleasant, ranging from emotional experiences to physical sensations and even mundane situations.
The Terrible Day at the Office
Story
The Terrible Day at the Office
It was a typical Monday morning when Claire woke up to the sound of thunder crashing through her window. The weather was terrible, with rain pelting against the glass and a dark, ominous sky hanging low. She tried to shake off the dread that seemed to linger in the air as she prepared for the day ahead. The office was just as bad. The meeting was terrible—no one could agree on anything, and the presentation went terribly. Claire could barely focus, her thoughts drifting as she imagined being anywhere but in that room. The worst part was the lunch: terrible food that made her wish she'd stayed in bed. As she walked home, she couldn't help but think that sometimes, the universe just loves to throw a 'terrible' day your way.
Related Words
