adj
Uncommon
horrific
huh-RIH-fihk
Horrific (adj) means causing horror; extremely frightening or shocking. Example: “The news showed horrific images from the earthquake zone.”
adj
1
Causing horror; extremely frightening or shocking.
"The news showed horrific images from the earthquake zone."
"It was a horrific crash that closed the motorway for hours."
"Survivors described the horrific noise as the building began to collapse."
How to use horrific
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishDeeply shocking and frightening, usually describing real events like accidents or violence.
Common pairings
horrific injuries
horrific attack
horrific scenes
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more horrific
- Superlative
- most horrific
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The news showed _____ images from the earthquake zone.
Etymology
From Latin horrificus, from horreo ("to be afraid") + -ficus ("making").
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for horrific
See all rhymes for horrific →Frequently asked questions
What does “horrific” mean?
The word “horrific” means causing horror; extremely frightening or shocking. In plain terms, deeply shocking and frightening, usually describing real events like accidents or violence.
How do you pronounce “horrific”?
“Horrific” is pronounced huh-RIH-fihk (/həˈɹɪfɪk/ in IPA).
How do you use “horrific” in a sentence?
Here is “horrific” used in a sentence: “The news showed horrific images from the earthquake zone.”
What part of speech is “horrific”?
“Horrific” is an adjective.
Where does the word “horrific” come from?
The word “horrific” comes from Latin. From Latin horrificus, from horreo ("to be afraid") + -ficus ("making").
Is “horrific” a common word?
“Horrific” is an uncommon word in modern English.
What is the difference between horrific and horrible?
Horrific specifically means causing horror, extreme fright, or shock, often used for genuinely disturbing events like accidents or violence. Horrible is more general and can describe anything unpleasant, from bad weather to a horrific event, without necessarily implying shock.
What is the difference between horrific and terrifying?
Terrifying focuses on causing intense fear, while horrific emphasizes shock and horror, often at something disturbing or gruesome that has already happened rather than something threatening in the moment.
Can horrific be used loosely, as in 'horrific traffic'?
Yes, in informal speech horrific is often used as an exaggeration for something extremely bad or unpleasant, such as 'horrific traffic' or 'horrific weather,' even though its core meaning relates to genuine horror or shock.
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