terrible

Universal Words adjective 1 very unpleasant; making you feel very unhappy, upset or frightened: a terrible shock / experience / nightmare * What terrible news! * I've just had a terrible thought. * It was a terrible thing to happen to someone so young. * That's a terrible thing to say! 2 causing great harm or injury; very serious: a terrible storm / murder / accident * He had suffered terrible injuries. * I'll have to stay with her-she's in a terrible state. 3 [notbeforenoun] unhappy or ill: I feel terrible-I think I'll go to bed. * You look terrible, you'd better sit down. 4 (informal) of very bad quality; very bad: a terrible meal / book / hotel * I have a terrible memory for names. * Your driving is terrible! 5 [onlybeforenoun] used to show the great extent or degree of sth bad: a terrible mistake * to be in terrible pain * The room was in a terrible mess. * (informal) I had a terrible job (= it was very difficult) to persuade her to come! * You'll be in terrible trouble if you're late again.