Terrible vs. Terribly — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Fiza Rafique — Updated on March 28, 2024
Terrible describes something bad in quality, while terribly emphasizes the extent or degree of something.
Difference Between Terrible and Terribly
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Terrible is an adjective used to describe something of very poor quality or that causes fear or horror; it suggests a high degree of distress or discomfort. Terribly, on the other hand, is an adverb that modifies verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs, typically to intensify or emphasize the degree of something, often equating to "very" or "extremely."
While terrible directly qualifies nouns, indicating that something is alarmingly bad or unpleasant (e.g., a terrible accident), terribly is used to modify or intensify an action or the state described by an adjective (e.g., terribly sorry, terribly fast). This distinction highlights the difference in function between adjectives and adverbs in English grammar.
The use of terrible often conveys a stronger, more negative connotation, suggesting something is not only bad but also potentially harmful or frightening. Terribly, however, focuses on the extent of a characteristic or condition, without inherently implying a negative quality (though it is often used in negative contexts).
In expressions of personal experience or opinion, terrible can indicate a strong negative reaction to something (e.g., a terrible meal), whereas terribly might describe the intensity of an emotion or condition (e.g., feeling terribly excited). Thus, terribly can occasionally have a positive or neutral context, despite its common negative usage.
Terrible and terribly showcase the grammatical distinction between adjectives and adverbs, with terrible providing direct information about the noun it modifies, and terribly offering additional detail about the intensity, manner, or degree of an action or characteristic. This difference underscores the importance of context and grammatical structure in conveying precise meanings in English.
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Comparison Chart
Part of Speech
Adjective
Adverb
Function
Describes the quality of a noun.
Modifies verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs.
Connotation
Strongly negative, indicating poor quality or distress.
Intensifies the degree, often negative but can be neutral or positive.
Usage
Directly qualifies nouns.
Used to emphasize or intensify.
Examples
A terrible storm.
Terribly sorry.
Compare with Definitions
Terrible
Poor Quality.
The meal was terrible, barely edible.
Terribly
Intensely.
The room was terribly cold.
Terrible
Causing Distress.
The news of the accident was terrible.
Terribly
Very.
I'm terribly sorry for the inconvenience caused.
Terrible
Very Bad.
His behavior at the party was terrible.
Terribly
Extremely.
The team played terribly well last night.
Terrible
Fear or Horror.
The movie depicted a terrible future.
Terribly
Greatly.
He was terribly excited about the trip.
Terrible
Strong Dislike.
She has a terrible fear of heights.
Terribly
Badly.
This essay is terribly written.
Terrible
Causing great fear or alarm; dreadful
A terrible bolt of lightning.
A terrible curse.
Terribly
In a terrible manner
Terribly wounded.
Terrible
Extremely formidable
Terrible responsibilities.
Terribly
Extremely; very I'm terribly sorry.
Terrible
Extreme in extent or degree; intense
"the life for which he had paid so terrible a price" (Leslie Fiedler).
Terribly
To a great extent; very much
Would you mind terribly if I opened the window?.
Terrible
Unpleasant; disagreeable
Had a terrible time at the party.
Terrible food.
Terribly
So as to cause terror or awe.
The lion roared terribly.
Terrible
Very bad
A terrible actor.
Terribly
Very; extremely.
He's terribly busy and you really shouldn't bother him.
Terrible
Dreadful; causing terror, alarm and fear; awesome
The witch laid a terrible curse on him.
Terribly
Very badly.
She took part in the karaoke, but sang terribly.
Terrible
Formidable, powerful.
Terribly
Used as intensifiers;
Terribly interesting
I'm awful sorry
Terrible
Intense; extreme in degree or extent.
He paid a terrible price for his life of drinking.
Terribly
In a terrible manner;
She sings terribly
Terrible
Unpleasant; disagreeable.
The food was terrible, but it was free.
Terrible
Very bad; lousy.
Whatever he thinks, he is a terrible driver.
Terrible
In a terrible way; to a terrible extent; terribly; awfully.
Terrible
Adapted or likely to excite terror, awe, or dread; dreadful; formidable.
Prudent in peace, and terrible in war.
Thou shalt not be affrighted at them; for the Lord thy God is among you, a mighty God and terrible.
Terrible
Excessive; extreme; severe.
The terrible coldness of the season.
Terrible
Causing fear or dread or terror;
The awful war
An awful risk
Dire news
A career or vengeance so direful that London was shocked
The dread presence of the headmaster
Polio is no longer the dreaded disease it once was
A dreadful storm
A fearful howling
Horrendous explosions shook the city
A terrible curse
Terrible
Exceptionally bad or displeasing;
Atrocious taste
Abominable workmanship
An awful voice
Dreadful manners
A painful performance
Terrible handwriting
An unspeakable odor came sweeping into the room
Terrible
Extremely distressing;
Fearful slum conditions
A frightful mistake
Suffered terrible thirst
Common Curiosities
How is terribly used in a sentence?
"Terribly" is used as an adverb to intensify the meaning of an adjective, verb, or another adverb, indicating a high degree or extent.
What does it mean if something is described as terrible?
Describing something as terrible implies it is of very poor quality, distressing, or highly unpleasant.
Is terrible always negative?
Yes, "terrible" is inherently negative, describing something that is extremely bad or unpleasant.
How does terribly modify a sentence?
"Terribly" modifies a sentence by adding intensity or emphasis to the action, quality, or state described by the main verb or adjective.
Can terribly have a positive meaning?
Yes, terribly can be used in a context that implies a high degree of something potentially positive (e.g., terribly excited).
Can something be terribly terrible?
Yes, the phrase "terribly terrible" can be used for emphasis, indicating something is extremely bad in a somewhat redundant but impactful way.
Is terribly a formal term?
"Terribly" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, though its use may vary in formality depending on the setting and audience.
What's the difference in usage between terrible and terribly in writing?
In writing, "terrible" is used to describe nouns, while "terribly" is used to modify or intensify the meaning of verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs.
Can the use of terribly change the tone of a statement?
Yes, adding "terribly" can change the tone by intensifying the emotion or degree of the statement, making it more dramatic or emphatic.
Is it correct to use terribly for slight discomfort or inconvenience?
While it's grammatically correct, using "terribly" for minor issues can be seen as an exaggeration unless used sarcastically or humorously.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
