terribly popular

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "terribly popular" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is very popular, often with a slightly humorous or ironic tone. Example: "The new smartphone model has become terribly popular among teenagers, with long lines forming outside stores on launch day."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

40 human-written examples

Income protection policies are not terribly popular.

Independent

But they haven't proved terribly popular.

The New York Times

But it's made him terribly popular".

The New York Times

Hospitalists don't appear terribly popular with patients and families, however.

The New York Times

But it is optional, and not terribly popular.

The New York Times

"Short stories have never been terribly popular in England.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

18 human-written examples

I do not believe that the field of psychiatry, or child and adolescent psychiatry, has been terribly responsive to popular fads.

The New York Times

Buchanan emphasized the language of "cultural war," not liberty, and he thought Americans should be protected from economic harm and from "the raw sewage of pornography that so terribly pollutes our popular culture".

The New Yorker

The "Hunger Games" trilogy, a story about adults treating teenagers terribly, is so popular among Facebooking youngsters that this week it prompted Scholastic, its publisher, to raise its profit forecast for 2012.Gone are the days when publishers pumped out books and waited to see what worked.

The Economist

It was terribly underpowered yet popular, but VW didn't update it in step with the times.

Forbes

A third take: This is just fallout from the Arab Spring — much like what we're seeing in Libya and Syria — as the Sunni/Southern forces are led by the not terribly credible or popular president Hadi, while the Shia/Northern forces are allied with his also not extremely well-liked predecessor, Ali Abdullah Saleh.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "terribly popular" when you want to subtly emphasize or perhaps humorously downplay something's widespread appeal, even if it seems counterintuitive. This phrase adds a touch of irony or understatement to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "terribly popular" in contexts that require utmost seriousness or formality, as the word "terribly" can introduce a sense of irony that might be inappropriate. In such cases, opt for more straightforward alternatives like "extremely popular" or "very popular".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "terribly popular" functions as an adverb-adjective combination used to describe the extent of something's popularity. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English. It adds emphasis while sometimes suggesting a hint of irony or surprise.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "terribly popular" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase, as Ludwig confirms. It functions as an adverb-adjective combination to describe something with widespread appeal, often with a touch of irony or understated emphasis. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, this phrase offers a nuanced way to express popularity, distinguishing itself from more straightforward alternatives like "very popular" or "extremely popular". Consider the tone and context to ensure its use aligns with the intended message, avoiding overly formal situations where its subtle irony may be misplaced.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

extremely popular

Replaces "terribly" with "extremely", intensifying the popularity.

incredibly popular

Uses "incredibly" instead of "terribly" to emphasize popularity.

wildly popular

Suggests an unrestrained and enthusiastic popularity.

hugely popular

Highlights the large scale of the popularity.

massively popular

Similar to "hugely popular", but with a stronger emphasis on size.

immensely popular

Emphasizes the great extent or degree of popularity.

exceptionally popular

Indicates that the popularity is beyond the ordinary.

remarkably popular

Suggests the popularity is worthy of attention or surprise.

tremendously popular

Conveys a significant level of popularity.

decidedly popular

Indicates a clear and definite popularity.

FAQs

How can I use "terribly popular" in a sentence?

You can use "terribly popular" to describe something that has gained significant traction or widespread appeal, often with a hint of irony or surprise. For example, "Despite its unusual design, the new app became "terribly popular" within weeks."

What are some alternatives to saying "terribly popular"?

Alternatives include "extremely popular", "very popular", "wildly popular", or "incredibly popular", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "terribly popular"?

Yes, "terribly popular" is grammatically correct and commonly used. However, be mindful of the context, as the word "terribly" can introduce a slight sense of understatement or irony.

What's the difference between "terribly popular" and "very popular"?

"Very popular" is a straightforward description of high popularity. "Terribly popular" also indicates high popularity but can imply a degree of surprise or irony, suggesting the popularity might be unexpected or slightly absurd.