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terrific Definition

ter·rific (tə rif′ik)

adjective

  1. causing great fear or dismay; terrifying; dreadful; appalling
  2. Informal
    1. unusually great, intense, severe, etc.
    2. unusually fine, admirable, enjoyable, etc.: a general term of approval

Etymology: L terrificus < base of terrere, to frighten: see terror & -fic

terrific Related Forms
ter·rif′i·cally adverb
terrific Synonyms

terrific

modif.

  1. Causing great fear

    terrifying, dreadful, appalling; see frightful 1, terrible 1.

  2. Unusually great or intense

    shocking, thunderous, deafening, world-shaking, immense, tremendous; see also great 1, large 1.

    Antonyms common*, ordinary, conventional.

  3. *A general term of approval

    superb, splendid, wonderful, marvellous; see excellent.

terrific Usage Examples

Preposition: as

  • guy: We are as disoriented as Alain is, and Lucas is terrific as a guy whose world is subtly upended around him.

Adjective complement with noun phrase

  • think: I think it's terrific that we're all going to have different interpretations.

Modifies a noun

  • bargain: A terrific bargain at the current price of $ 26 including airmail postage overseas.
  • explosion: At about 8.30am the next morning a terrific explosion occurred.
  • barrage: Slept all morning thro ' terrific barrage of our guns supporting 151 Bde.
  • bombardment: He, however, continually rallied his men under a terrific bombardment.
  • thriller: Dave Campfield, director of the terrific indie thriller Under Surveillance, answered one of my e-mail mini-interviews in May 2006.
  • storm: ORESTES was first employed in cruising on the coast of Galway were she encountered a terrific storm on 19 November 1830.

Modifying Another Word

  • absolutely: The time I enjoyed at Studio School was absolutely terrific.
  • truly: We had all enjoyed a truly terrific concert, and wanted to thank the performers with our generous applause.
  • simply: That look is simply terrific acting on Connery's part.
  • pretty: Given that she is getting on a bit she actually did a pretty terrific job.
  • really: We've bought some really terrific players over the years who have done really well for us.
  • still: Personal dislikes all kind or a that's still terrific he said.

Infinitive complement

  • see: It is terrific to see Queen's students matching their high standards in academic studies with such terrific achievements in sport.
  • have: It's terrific to have such a talented writer producing complex new material.

Used with adjective complement

  • look: They look terrific in grass at the edge of a pond or equally at home on a patio.
  • sound: It sounds terrific; very different from his top tension.
  • feel: At the end of the day we all felt terrific, absolutely as high as kites.

Preposition: in

  • grass: They look terrific in grass at the edge of a pond or equally at home on a patio.