What is terrible? Pronunciation and usage in English

terrible means . Learn how to pronounce and use terrible through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of terrible

terribleadjective

/ˈtɛrɪbl/
Definition & pronunciation of terrible

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "terrible" in English. It's a tricky one because it's a common source of pronunciation errors! Here's a breakdown:

1. Syllables: "Ter-ri-ble" - It’s three syllables.

2. Individual Sounds:

  • "Ter": This is pronounced like "tur" as in "turn." Think of the "t" and "er" blending together.
  • "ri": This is pronounced like "ree" as in "ready."
  • "ble": This is pronounced like "buhl" – like "bulb" but with a "b" sound at the beginning.

3. Putting it Together:

Say it slowly: "Tur-ree-buhl"

4. A Smoother Flow:

Once you're comfortable with the separate sounds, try to link them together more naturally. It's not a perfectly clipped pronunciation. Aim for something like:

“Ter-ih-ble” (with a slightly emphasized "ih" sound in the middle)

Tips & Common Mistakes:

  • Don't say "ter-ib-le": This is the most common mistake. The "ib" sound doesn't exist in this word.
  • Avoid a hard "ah" sound: The "ri" part shouldn't sound like "rah."
  • Pay attention to the 'b' sound: Make sure you include the "buhl" sound at the end.

Resources for Hearing It:

  • Forvo: https://forvo.com/word/terrible/ (You can hear native speakers pronounce it.)
  • Google Search: Search "how to pronounce terrible" on Google, and you’ll find many audio examples.

To help me tailor the explanation even more, could you tell me:

  • Are you a native English speaker, or are you learning?
  • What specifically are you struggling with in the pronunciation?

Usage and examples with the word terrible in English

Let's break down how to use the word "terrible" effectively in English. It's a powerful word, but it needs to be used thoughtfully because it expresses a very strong negative feeling.

1. Basic Meaning:

  • Generally: "Terrible" means extremely bad, awful, dreadful, or horrific. It describes something that is causing great distress or disappointment.

2. How to Use It – Different Contexts:

  • Describing Events/Situations:
    • "The weather is terrible today – it’s pouring rain."
    • "I had a terrible experience at the restaurant."
    • "The accident was a terrible tragedy."
  • Describing People's Feelings:
    • "I felt terrible after hearing the news." (meaning “I felt very sad or upset”)
    • “He looked terrible after he got sick.” (meaning “He looked very unwell”)
  • Describing Appearance (Often Negative):
    • "The stain on the carpet is terrible." (meaning “It really stands out and is unpleasant”)
    • “The food tasted terrible.” (meaning “It was very bad in flavor”)
  • Describing Something Difficult or Challenging:
    • "That exam was terrible; I don’t think I did very well." (meaning “It was extremely difficult”)

3. Nuances and Variations:

  • “Terribly” as an Adverb: The word "terribly" is often used as an adverb to intensify other verbs. This is a common usage.

    • "I terribly regret what I said." (Meaning: I really regret it - it was a serious regret)
    • “He terribly missed his family.” (Meaning: He missed them very much.)

  • “Terrible” as an adjective describing manner (less common, more formal): You can sometimes see "terrible" used to describe how someone does something, but this is less frequent and has a slightly archaic feel.

    • "He spoke terribly in the meeting, stumbling over his words." (This is grammatically correct but sounds old-fashioned. You’re usually better off saying “He spoke awkwardly”.)

4. Stronger Alternatives (When You Want to Express More Intensity):

  • Horrendous: Very similar to terrible, but often suggests a more shocking or appalling quality.
  • Awful: A more common and versatile word for “bad.”
  • Dreadful: Similar to terrible, emphasizes feelings of fear or foreboding.
  • Appalling: Suggests something shocking and morally wrong.
  • Catastrophic: Implies a very serious or disastrous outcome.
  • ** atrocious:** Extremely bad, shockingly poor.

5. When Not to Use "Terrible":

  • Overuse: "Terrible" is a strong word. Don't use it for every minor inconvenience. Save it for truly significant negative experiences.
  • Hyperbole: Avoid using it when you're just trying to be dramatic or exaggerate.

Example Sentences Demonstrating Different Uses:

  • Simple: "The movie was terrible."
  • Intensified: "I terribly disliked the food."
  • Describing a situation: "The traffic was terrible this morning."
  • Describing a feeling: “She felt terrible after the argument.”

Resources for Further Learning:

To help me give you even more specific advice, could you tell me:

  • What are you trying to write or say? (e.g., a story, an email, a description of a situation)
  • What specific feeling do you want to convey? (e.g., sadness, disappointment, shock, frustration)

Synonyms for the word terrible

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