terribly
Terribly (adv) means Very badly or poorly. Example: “The team played terribly in the second half.”
How to use terribly
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishCan mean "very badly" or simply "very," depending on context.
The intensifying use ("terribly sorry," "terribly kind") is especially common in British English and can sound quite formal or old-fashioned.
Word forms
more terribly comparative, most terribly superlative
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The team played _____ in the second half.
Etymology
From terrible + the adverb-forming suffix -ly.
Related words
Rhymes for terribly
See all rhymes for terribly →Frequently asked questions
What does “terribly” mean?
The word “terribly” means very badly or poorly. In plain terms, can mean "very badly" or simply "very," depending on context.
How do you pronounce “terribly”?
“Terribly” is pronounced TEHR-ih-blee (/ˈtɛɹ.ɪ.bli/ in IPA).
How do you use “terribly” in a sentence?
Here is “terribly” used in a sentence: “The team played terribly in the second half.”
What part of speech is “terribly”?
“Terribly” is an adverb.
Is “terribly” a common word?
“Terribly” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “terribly” have?
“Terribly” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: very badly or poorly.
What is the difference between "terribly" and "terrible"?
"Terribly" is an adverb, while "terrible" is an adjective. Use "terrible" to describe a noun (a terrible mistake) and "terribly" to modify a verb, adjective, or another adverb (she sang terribly; terribly cold).
Does "terribly" always mean something bad?
No. "Terribly" has two distinct uses: it can mean "very badly" (he played terribly), but it also works simply as an intensifier meaning "extremely" (I'm terribly sorry; terribly kind). In the intensifier sense it carries no negative meaning at all.
What is the difference between "terribly" and "very"?
Both can strengthen an adjective, but "terribly" is more emphatic and emotional than "very" (terribly sorry feels stronger than very sorry). Unlike "very," "terribly" can also mean "badly," as in "the team performed terribly."
Is "terribly" formal or informal?
Used as an intensifier, "terribly" (as in terribly grateful or terribly sorry) sounds polite and slightly formal, and is especially common in British English. In everyday speech, "really" or "so" often replace it.