formidable
faw-MIH-duh-buhl
Formidable (adj) means Impressively strong, capable, or intimidating. Example: “She built a formidable reputation as a courtroom lawyer.”
adj
1
Impressively strong, capable, or intimidating.
"She built a formidable reputation as a courtroom lawyer."
"The team faced a formidable opponent in the final."
"The old chess champion was still a formidable player even in her eighties."
2
Difficult to deal with or overcome.
"Climbing the mountain in winter is a formidable challenge."
"Learning three languages at once is a formidable task for anyone."
"The new manager faced a formidable list of problems on her first day."
How to use formidable
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSo powerful, skilled, or difficult that it commands respect or even a little fear.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
formidable opponent
formidable reputation
formidable challenge
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more formidable
- Superlative
- most formidable
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She built a _____ reputation as a courtroom lawyer.
Etymology
From Latin formidabilis, "causing fear," from formido, "dread."
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for formidable
See all rhymes for formidable →Frequently asked questions
What does “formidable” mean?
The word “formidable” means impressively strong, capable, or intimidating. In plain terms, so powerful, skilled, or difficult that it commands respect or even a little fear.
How do you pronounce “formidable”?
“Formidable” is pronounced faw-MIH-duh-buhl (/ˈfɔɹmɪdəbəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “formidable” in a sentence?
Here is “formidable” used in a sentence: “She built a formidable reputation as a courtroom lawyer.”
What part of speech is “formidable”?
“Formidable” is an adjective.
Where does the word “formidable” come from?
The word “formidable” comes from Latin. From Latin formidabilis, "causing fear," from formido, "dread.".
Is “formidable” a common word?
“Formidable” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “formidable” have?
“Formidable” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: impressively strong, capable, or intimidating.
What is the difference between formidable and impressive?
Impressive simply means something makes a strong positive impression, while formidable carries an added sense of strength, difficulty, or intimidation, suggesting the thing is hard to deal with or overcome. A formidable opponent is not just impressive but also genuinely challenging or intimidating to face.
Is formidable a positive or negative word?
Formidable can be either positive or negative depending on context, since it describes something impressively strong or capable, but also difficult to deal with or overcome. A formidable athlete is admired, while a formidable obstacle is simply hard to overcome.
What does it mean to call a task or challenge formidable?
Calling a task formidable means it is difficult to deal with or overcome, requiring significant effort, skill, or resources to handle. It signals that the challenge should be taken seriously rather than dismissed as easy.
