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terribly
[ ter-uh-blee ]
ˈٱ
/ ˈɛəɪ /
adverb
- in a terrible manner
- (intensifier)
you're terribly kind
Example Sentences
That may not be terribly reassuring to many, but the fact is Democrats — a minority in the House and Senate — haven’t as much power as some of the more frothing partisans out there presume.
"The government's not being terribly co-operative at this point, but I will get to the bottom of whether they violated my word," he said.
At first, the arrival of the giant mammals was not terribly controversial.
He said the inquiry had followed a "wholly naive" line of questioning by ignoring the reality of the situation at the time, while making "terribly pejorative" statements that were "totally inappropriate".
"It all felt terribly important," Davies told Radio Times.
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Related 51Թs
More About Terribly
What doesterribly mean?
Terribly means in a way that’s terrible—awfully, horribly, or extremely bad.
The adjective terrible has a few different meanings, but the adverb form terribly is usually based on its sense meaning extremely bad or horrible, as in I did terribly on that test or The children behaved terribly this morning.
Terribly is also commonly used to mean very or extremely, as in We’re terribly sorry. When used this way, it’s an intensifier—a word used to strengthen or emphasize the word it modifies.
This sense of the word is commonly used in negative constructions, such as not terribly exciting, which means the same thing as not very exciting.
Example: I’m not terribly interested in going on a trip with Jeff, especially since I’ve heard he drives terribly.
Where doesterribly come from?
The first records of the word terribly come from the 1400s. Terrible comes from the Latin terribilis, which ultimately derives from the Latin verb ٱŧ, meaning “to frighten” or “to terrify.” ձŧ is also the basis of terrify, terrifying, and terror.
Terrible is most popularly used to simply mean “really bad,” in much the same way that horrible and awful are often used. The adverb awfully is a close synonym for terribly both when it means “very bad” and when it means “very.” When used to mean “very,” it’s perhaps even more commonly used in negative ways, such as saying that two things are not terribly different or that something is not terribly exciting.
Did you know ... ?
What are some other forms related to terribly?
- terrible (adjective)
What are some synonyms for terribly?
What are some words that share a root or word element with terribly?
What are some words that often get used in discussing terribly?
How isterribly used in real life?
Both senses of the word terribly are commonly used.
Satire is hard to do well. Seussian poetry is hard to do well. They're both easy to do terribly. Even professional humorists should be cautious about trying to combine them.
— Chad Orzel (@orzelc)
Nats after 105 games in 2015: 55-50, one game back. Nats after 105 games in 2014: 58-47, 1-1/2 games up. Not terribly different.
— Barry Svrluga (@barrysvrluga)
Hi, this is Lisa. I am terribly sorry about this situation. Let me see what I can do for you. Can you DM me one tracking number off of one package, your apartment business name, the full address, phone and email address? I'll get this to the ground terminal for you. Thanks.
— FedEx Help (@FedExHelp)
Try usingterribly!
Which of the following words is NOT a synonym of terribly?
A. awfully
B. horribly
C. badly
D. nicely
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