What does terribly mean?
Terribly is an adverb with two closely related uses. It can mean “to an extreme degree,” as in “terribly important” or “terribly disappointed,” and it can also mean “very badly,” as in “The team played terribly.” The word often carries a negative or emotionally heightened implication, especially when it modifies words such as wrong, awkward, or disappointed. However, it can also express emphatic approval in established expressions such as “terribly good.” In everyday British and American English, terribly is especially associated with informal, conversational style, although it is also used in more formal writing when a strong degree is intended. Its usefulness lies in its flexibility: the same word can intensify an unpleasant condition, describe poor performance, or, with a suitable adjective, communicate enthusiastic praise.
adverbTerribly means to an extreme degree, often with a negative implication, or very badly. It can also be used for emphatic praise, as in “terribly good.”
- To an extreme degree; very much.
- Very badly; in a terrible or highly unsuccessful manner.
"She was terribly disappointed by the final result."
"The children were terribly excited about the school trip."
"The team played terribly throughout the second half."
Terribly is a linguistic shapeshifter: “terribly good” can express intense praise, while “terribly late” can mean merely very late and “terribly awkward” is strongly negative.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does terribly come from?
Terribly was formed in English by adding the adverbial suffix -ly to terrible. The adjective terrible entered Middle English from Old French terrible, which came from Latin terribilis. That Latin form is connected with terror, ultimately derived from terrere, meaning “to frighten.”
How terribly is actually used
Terribly is common in informal and conversational English. As an intensifier it often sounds slightly old-fashioned in formal writing, where extremely or very may be preferable, though it remains natural in both British and American English.
Easily confused with terribly
Terrible is an adjective describing something extremely bad, while terribly is an adverb that modifies a verb or expresses degree.
Terribly can mean extremely or very badly, whereas terrifically generally means extremely or very well.