adj
Uncommon
horrid
HO-rihd
Horrid (adj) means Very unpleasant, nasty, or unkind. Example: “What a horrid thing to say to your sister!”
adj
1
Very unpleasant, nasty, or unkind.
"What a horrid thing to say to your sister!"
"The medicine had a horrid, bitter taste."
How to use horrid
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishNasty or unpleasant — a slightly old-fashioned, often mild way of saying something is disagreeable.
When to use it
Sounds a little dated or British-genteel compared with the more common "horrible".
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Word forms
- Comparative
- horrider, more horrid
- Superlative
- horridest, most horrid
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
What a _____ thing to say to your sister!
Etymology
Borrowed from Latin horridus ("bristly, rough, shaggy"), from horrere ("to bristle, tremble").
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for horrid
See all rhymes for horrid →Frequently asked questions
What does “horrid” mean?
The word “horrid” means very unpleasant, nasty, or unkind. In plain terms, nasty or unpleasant — a slightly old-fashioned, often mild way of saying something is disagreeable.
How do you pronounce “horrid”?
“Horrid” is pronounced HO-rihd (/ˈhɔ.ɹɪd/ in IPA).
How do you use “horrid” in a sentence?
Here is “horrid” used in a sentence: “What a horrid thing to say to your sister!”
What is another word for “horrid”?
Words with a similar meaning to “horrid” include abominable, alarming, appalling, awful, dire and dreadful.
What part of speech is “horrid”?
“Horrid” is an adjective.
Where does the word “horrid” come from?
The word “horrid” comes from Latin. Borrowed from Latin horridus ("bristly, rough, shaggy"), from horrere ("to bristle, tremble").
Is “horrid” a common word?
“Horrid” is an uncommon word in modern English.
