terrible
terrible — adjective
1. extremely disappointing, upsetting, or poor in quality, to the point that it mak
extremely disappointing, upsetting, or poor in quality, to the point that it makes you feel unhappy or annoyed.
Maja had a terrible headache and stayed in bed all morning.
collocation: terrible headache / terrible pain
The weather was terrible during our trip to the coast last summer.
collocation: terrible weather
Joaquín felt terrible after eating the old fish at the market.
The hotel room had a terrible smell that nobody could fix.
Rin called the service terrible and asked for her money back.
文法句型
terrible + noun
be terrible
用法筆記
Both attributive (a terrible day) and predicative (the food was terrible) positions are equally common. This sense covers a wide range of situations: experiences, objects, feelings, weather, and results.
常見錯誤
2. having almost no ability or skill in a particular activity, often because of a l
having almost no ability or skill in a particular activity, often because of a lack of natural talent or practice.
Gabriel is terrible at math and always asks his sister for help.
pattern: be terrible at + noun
Heather is a terrible cook who burns almost everything she makes.
pattern: a terrible + performer noun
Christopher was terrible at tennis and lost every match he played.
Sahil was terrible at remembering people's names at work.
- hopeless
stronger, suggests no chance of improvement; informal
- useless
informal and often blunt; same level of ability
- incompetent
formal; describes a general lack of skill rather than one activity
文法句型
be terrible at + noun/gerund
a terrible + performer noun
用法筆記
Followed by 'at' + noun or gerund (terrible at sports / terrible at singing). Can also be placed before a noun describing a person's role: a terrible cook, a terrible driver, a terrible singer.
常見錯誤
3. used before a noun to emphasise the great degree or serious nature of something,
used before a noun to emphasise the great degree or serious nature of something, especially something negative or unwanted.
Minh made a terrible mess when he tried to bake a cake.
collocation: a terrible mess
It is a terrible shame that the old library has to close.
collocation: a terrible shame
Élise got herself into a terrible amount of debt last year.
Mert said the paperwork was a terrible waste of his time.
文法句型
a terrible + abstract noun
用法筆記
Only used before a noun (attributive position), never after a linking verb. Typically informal and conversational. Common with abstract nouns such as 'mess', 'shame', 'waste', 'mistake', and 'amount'.
4. producing a strong feeling of fear, dread, or horror, especially as a result of
producing a strong feeling of fear, dread, or horror, especially as a result of something violent, dangerous, or shocking.
The children saw a terrible sight after the storm hit the village.
collocation: a terrible sight
Tendai's uncle woke up from a terrible dream and could not sleep again.
collocation: a terrible dream
A terrible roar came from the dark cave near the river.
The hikers heard a terrible scream coming from the foggy valley below.
- terrifying
stronger and more active; suggests immediate fear
- horrifying
causing shock and disgust, not just fear
- dreadful
formal; combines fear with a sense of foreboding
- comforting
opposite in emotional effect
- reassuring
opposite in producing calm rather than fear
文法句型
a terrible + noun of perception
用法筆記
The original meaning of 'terrible', now less common in everyday conversation. More frequent in formal, literary, or dramatic contexts. Often paired with nouns of perception: sight, sound, noise, dream.