Terrific

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the phrase "Terrific" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to express enthusiasm or approval, often in response to something positive or impressive. An example: "The concert last night was terrific!" Alternative expressions with the same meaning include "fantastic," "awesome," and "great."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Arts & Entertainment

Sports

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Victoria Jaye, head of TV content for the BBC iPlayer, said on a BBC blog there had been a "significant surge in BBC iPlayer usage, as people all over the country un-wrap new devices and take the opportunity to enjoy our terrific range of programmes, at a time that suits them".

The Guardian

David Cameron and Nick Clegg welcomed the announcement by the fast food giant, and Clegg said work at McDonald's helps young people "to develop their skills and confidence" and gives them "a terrific opportunity to move up within the company, or use their experience and training to move into other jobs".

The Guardian - Money

Rangers had threatened to run over the top of their city rivals within five minutes as the youngster Jamie Ness crashed home a terrific long-range drive and Steven Davis shot against the Celtic crossbar.

The Guardian - Sport

Foxcatcher has terrific performances from three of the most talented and versatile actors working in Hollywood today: Carell, Tatum and Ruffalo.

The Guardian - Film

"I was upset that my family and friends were subjected to this type of behaviour and that it still exists within the AFL, as they have done a terrific job in educating society that racial vilification is unacceptable.

The Guardian - Sport

"For a club like ours it's terrific we can finish 11th while some massive clubs were relegated," the manager said.

The Guardian - Sport

There's a terrific film to be made about Cecil Rhodes, but it would be a lot sharper and darker than this.

The Guardian - Film

She's on a terrific salary, of course, though she jokes that the hourly rate mightn't be quite so good.

The Guardian

The home side's half-backs Danny Care and Evans were lighting fires all over the pitch to inspire some terrific running rugby but, for once, Evans was wayward with his kicking at goal, missing three chances to stretch the lead.

The Guardian - Sport

Then at least when Mr T rejoins the fray, he'll have a terrific tan.

The Guardian - Travel

I think you'd be terrific as The Master.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In contemporary usage, reserve the word for positive attributes; using it to mean "causing terror" is archaic and likely to confuse modern readers.

Common error

While common in journalism, "Terrific" can feel too subjective or emotive for technical, scientific or formal academic writing. In those cases, opt for more descriptive and neutral terms like "significant", "substantial" or "highly effective".

Linguistic Context

"Terrific" serves as a qualitative adjective used to modify nouns or act as a predicative adjective following linking verbs. In the examples provided by Ludwig, it frequently modifies nouns like "performances", "opportunity" and "form". Ludwig AI confirms its status as a correct and highly usable term in modern English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Arts & Entertainment

10%

Sports

5%

Less common in

Academic

2%

Science

1%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, "Terrific" is a powerful and versatile adjective used to express high-level approval or significant intensity. While its etymological roots link it to terror, modern usage is almost exclusively positive. Data from Ludwig shows that it is a staple of journalistic writing, appearing in thousands of high-quality examples to describe everything from "performances" to "salaries". Ludwig AI categorizes its use as correct and highly effective for adding emphasis. However, writers should remain mindful of the context; while perfect for reviews, interviews and general reporting, it may lack the clinical objectivity needed for scientific or highly formal academic papers. When you need to sound enthusiastic yet professional, "Terrific" remains one of the most reliable choices in the English language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fantastic

implies a sense of being imaginative or incredibly good, often used interchangeably in casual contexts.

excellent

conveys high quality with a slightly more formal and objective tone.

tremendous

emphasizes the great size, scale or power of something positive.

wonderful

suggests a sense of delight or admiration rather than just pure intensity.

superb

indicates the highest possible quality or excellence.

extraordinary

highlights that something is beyond what is ordinary or expected.

stunning

used when the quality is so high it is visually or mentally striking.

brilliant

common in British English to denote exceptional talent or performance.

outstanding

focuses on how something stands out from its peers due to quality.

marvellous

carries a slightly more old-fashioned or whimsical tone of admiration.

FAQs

How do I use "Terrific" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe a noun that you find impressive, such as "She did a "terrific job" on the presentation" or to describe a feeling, like "I feel "terrific" today".

What is the difference between "Terrific" and "Terrible"?

While both share the root 'terror', their meanings have diverged completely. "Terrible" remains negative, whereas "Terrific" evolved in the 20th century to be an intensifier for something "extremely good".

What can I say instead of "Terrific"?

Depending on your context, you could use "fantastic", "excellent", "tremendous" or "extraordinary".

Is "Terrific" formal or informal?

It is generally considered a neutral word. It is frequently seen in high-quality journalism like The New York Times, but it may be seen as too informal for "academic writing" or technical reports.