terrific

Definitions

terr- (frighten) + -ific (making) = originally 'causing terror,' i.e. terrifying. In the 1800s it flipped: 'terrifyingly big' → 'enormous' → 'enormously good' → wonderful. Today it's almost always positive, except 'terrific speed/force,' where the old 'frightening' sense still shows.

Why It Means This

Terrific is English's clearest example of a word swinging from negative to positive. Born from terrēre ('frighten'), it once described what fills you with terror. But intensity words tend to migrate: 'terrifyingly large' shades into 'huge,' and 'huge' shades into 'great.' By the 19th century the fear had drained out entirely, leaving pure praise. The original meaning survives only as a fossil in 'terrific speed' — something so fast it's almost frightening.

Common Collocations

• 1.terrific job干得漂亮
• 2.terrific success巨大的成功
• 3.terrific speed极快的速度
• 4.look terrific看起来棒极了

Example Sentences

• 1.

  You did a terrific job on the presentation.

• 2.

  We had a terrific time at the festival.

• 3.

  The car shot off at terrific speed.