Horribly
ˈhɔːrəbli
Definitions
2 meaningsIn a dreadful or terrifying way; extremely bad or unpleasant.
ˈhɔːrəbli
In an extremely unpleasant or severe manner; very badly.
The food tasted horribly.
💡 Simply: Imagine something so bad you just cringe. Like, your least favorite food being served at every meal, or accidentally calling your teacher 'Mom'. That's horribly. It means really, really bad.
👶 For kids: When something is horribly, it means it's super bad or yucky! Like, "That smell is horribly stinky!"
More Examples
She behaved horribly at the party.
He was treated horribly by his peers.
How It's Used
"The weather was horribly cold."
"The injury was bleeding horribly."
"He suffered horribly during the ordeal."
To a great or excessive degree; very.
ˈhɔːrəbli
To an extreme or excessive degree.
I was horribly wrong about that.
💡 Simply: When you're, like, *way* more late than you should be, you're *horribly* late. It's not just a little bit; it's a lot!
👶 For kids: When something is horribly, it means it's super a lot! Like, "I'm horribly hungry!"
More Examples
He felt horribly guilty.
I was horribly unprepared for the exam.
How It's Used
"I missed the bus, and now I'm horribly late."
From Middle English *horribli*, from Old French *horrible* (“horrible”), from Latin *horribilis* (“horrible, dreadful”), from *horrere* (“to bristle, shudder, be afraid”).
Used since the 14th century, originally to describe something that inspired horror or dread.
Memory tip
Think of a horror movie - everything is portrayed *horribly*.