What is terribly? Pronunciation and usage in English

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

Definition & pronunciation of terribly

terriblyadverb

/ˈtɛrɪbli/
Definition & pronunciation of terribly

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "terribly" in English. It's a tricky one because it's so often mispronounced! Here's a breakdown:

The Correct Pronunciation:

  • /tərˈɪbli/ (American English)
  • /tɜːrˈbɪli/ (British English)

Let's break it down syllable by syllable:

  1. ter - Pronounced like the word "tar." It's a short "tuh" sound.

  2. ribly - This is the tricky part!

    • ri - Pronounced like the "ri" in "river."
    • bly - This is where most people stumble. It sounds like "blee" (as in "bee" but with an "l" sound in the middle) – almost like you're saying "blew" but with a softer 'w' sound.

Putting it together:

  • American English: "tuh-ruh-blee-lee" (think of it as “tar-ruh-blee-lee”)
  • British English: “tur-ruh-blee-lee” (think of it as “tour-ruh-blee-lee”)

Tips for Getting it Right:

  • Stress: The primary stress is on the second syllable ("ribly"). Make sure you’re emphasizing that syllable.
  • The "blee" Sound: This is the key. Practice saying "blee" and then add the "rl" sound (like in "pearl"). It's a quick, almost whispered sound.
  • Listen to examples: The best way to learn is to hear it said correctly! Search for "how to pronounce terribly" on YouTube and listen to a native English speaker.

Resources for Hearing the Pronunciation:

  • Google: Just type "terribly pronunciation" into Google and you'll get audio clips.
  • Forvo: https://forvo.com/word/terribly/ – This website has pronunciations from native speakers around the world.

Would you like me to:

  • Repeat the pronunciation slowly?
  • Give you some words that have similar sounds to help you practice?

Usage and examples with the word terribly in English

Let's break down how to use the word "terribly" in English. It's a wonderfully versatile word, but it's often misused! Here's a comprehensive guide:

1. As an Adverb (Most Common Use - Meaning "Very" or "Extremely")

This is by far the most frequent way to use "terribly." It's a stronger alternative to "very" or "really."

  • Example: “I’m terribly sorry for the delay.” (Much stronger than "I'm very sorry.")
  • Example: “The weather is terribly cold today.” (More impactful than "The weather is very cold.")
  • Example: "She's terribly excited about the trip."

2. As an Adjective (Meaning "Awfully" or "Badly") - This is where it's often misapplied!

Historically, "terribly" also functioned as an adjective meaning "awfully" or "badly" – describing something that is unpleasant or negative. However, this usage is increasingly rare and is often considered somewhat archaic or old-fashioned. You'll still hear it, especially in British English, but it can sound formal or even a bit dramatic.

  • Example (Rare): "He was terribly upset by the news." (Meaning he was awfully/badly upset.) While understandable, this sounds a bit stilted now.
  • Example (More common, but still less frequent): "The situation is terribly complex." (Describing the complexity as bad or difficult.)

Important Note: Because of its archaic feel as an adjective, it’s usually best to avoid using it this way unless you're deliberately trying to evoke a particular style or tone (e.g., a historical novel). “Badly,” “awfully,” “horribly,” or “very” are perfectly acceptable and common alternatives.

3. With Specific Meanings (Less Common)

  • “Terribly difficult”: This phrase means “extremely difficult.” The “terribly” emphasizes the degree of difficulty.

    • Example: "The exam was terribly difficult."

  • “Terribly sorry”: This is a more heartfelt or sincere expression of apology than simply “sorry.” It indicates a deeper sense of regret.

    • Example: “I’m terribly sorry about what happened.”

  • "Terribly pleased": This means extremely pleased.

    • Example: “I was terribly pleased to see you.”

Key Considerations & How to Avoid Misuse:

  • Context is crucial: Pay attention to the surrounding words and the overall tone of the sentence.
  • Modern Usage: Generally, use "terribly" as an adverb (meaning "very") in modern English.
  • Sounding Formal: Using “terribly” as an adjective can sound overly formal or dramatic, especially when more straightforward words are available.

Resources for Further Exploration:

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

  • In what context are you trying to use the word “terribly”? (e.g., are you writing a story, having a conversation, etc.)

Synonyms for the word terribly

Practice with vocabulary terribly

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. The management team was ___________ disappointed with the project's unexpected cancellation.
  2. During the critical negotiation phase, their representative performed ___________, undermining the team's position.
  3. The new software update has ___________ enhanced our data processing capabilities, saving hours of manual work.
  4. Following the power surge, the network infrastructure was ___________ damaged, requiring extensive repairs.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

Select all options that apply.

  1. The economic outlook for the upcoming fiscal year appears ___________ uncertain given the global market volatility. a) extremely b) significantly c) terribly d) moderately

  2. Despite their extensive preparation, the initial product launch went ___________, failing to meet customer expectations. a) smoothly b) flawlessly c) poorly d) terribly

  3. I am ___________ sorry for the oversight in the quarterly financial report; it was an unacceptable error. a) genuinely b) utterly c) terribly d) mildly

  4. The lead researcher's groundbreaking discovery was ___________ influential in shaping the future direction of the entire scientific field. a) minimally b) profoundly c) negligibly d) slightly

  5. The primary server crashed ___________ during peak operational hours, causing widespread service disruption across all departments. a) calmly b) catastrophically c) mildly d) smoothly

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. Original: The project team was extremely keen to secure the international contract. Rewrite using "terribly": The project team was __________________________________________________________________________________________________.

  2. Original: Her presentation skills were quite poor, leading to a noticeable lack of engagement from the audience. Rewrite using "terribly" or a related word form: Her presentation skills were __________________________________________________________________________________________________.

  3. Original: The new software proved to be inadequate, causing numerous delays in data processing. Rewrite (do not use "terribly"): The new software proved to be __________________________________________________________________________________________________.

Answer:

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. terribly
  2. terribly
  3. significantly
  4. severely

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. a) extremely, c) terribly
  2. c) poorly, d) terribly
  3. a) genuinely, b) utterly, c) terribly
  4. b) profoundly
  5. b) catastrophically

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The project team was terribly keen to secure the international contract.
  2. Her presentation skills were terrible, leading to a noticeable lack of engagement from the audience. (or: Her presentation was terribly executed, leading to a noticeable lack of engagement from the audience.)
  3. The new software proved to be subpar, causing numerous delays in data processing. (Other possible answers: deficient, ineffective, unsatisfactory)

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