terrific

Terrific is an adjective meaning extremely good, impressive, or enjoyable. It is common in everyday British and American English and can describe a success, performance, meal, journey, piece of weather, or many other positive things: “She gave a terrific presentation.” Its enthusiastic tone often makes it more conversational than words such as “outstanding” or “exemplary.” The word also has an older and less common sense meaning frightening or awe-inspiring, as in “a terrific roar,” but modern speakers overwhelmingly use it positively. Terrific is especially useful because it conveys both strong approval and a sense of intensity. Saying that an event or achievement was “terrific” signals that it was not merely good, but exceptionally successful, effective, or memorable.

Very good, impressive, or enjoyable; excellent. In older or literary usage, it can mean causing terror or alarm.

Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.

Where does terrific come from?

Terrific entered English in the early 17th century from Latin terrere, meaning “to frighten,” combined with the suffix -fic, which forms adjectives. In its early sense, it described something that caused terror or fear. By the 18th century, however, the word had developed toward its modern positive meaning, “extremely good” or “excellent,” probably through the idea of something impressive or striking in a remarkable way.

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How terrific is actually used

In contemporary British and American English, terrific is an informal-to-neutral word for something excellent. It can sound enthusiastic in everyday speech and is especially common in phrases such as “a terrific success.” Its older sense of causing terror is now largely literary, archaic, or deliberately emphatic.

Easily confused with terrific

What's another word for terrific?

Words and phrases paired with terrific

What's the opposite of terrific?

Rhymes with terrific