French word

horriblement

Pronunciation

IPA/oʁibləmɑ̃/

Meaning

  • adverbterribly

Example

Il fait horriblement chaud aujourd'hui.

It is terribly hot today.

Illustration for horriblement (terribly)

More examples

Le prix est horriblement cher.

The price is terribly expensive.

Core concept

A dial pushed far past the normal range, making the intensity stand out rather than describing the quality itself.

Common phrases

  • horriblement cher

    terribly expensive

  • horriblement fatigué

    terribly tired

Similar words

très: To a considerable degree; very.
vraiment: With emphatic force; really.
terriblement: To a very great degree; terribly.
extrêmement: To an extreme degree; extremely.

Definition in French

Marque un degré élevé dérivé de l'adjectif «horrible», utilisé pour insister sur l'intensité d'un état ou d'une qualité.

Word origin

French forms horriblement from horrible and the adverbial suffix -ment; horrible comes through Old French from Latin horribilis.

Usage tips

  • Horriblement often works as an emphatic intensifier, so Il fait horriblement chaud means the heat is extreme, not necessarily frightening.

Other meanings

  • extremelyadverb
  • horriblyadverb

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word