horrific
pronunciation
How to pronounce horrific in British English:
UK [həˈrɪfɪk]
How to pronounce horrific in American English:
US [hɔˈrɪfɪk, hɑ-]
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- Adjective:
- grossly offensive to decency or morality; causing horror
- causing fear or dread or terror
Word Origin
- horrific (adj.)
- "causing horror," 1650s, from French horrifique or directly from Latin horrificus "dreadful, exciting terror," literally "making the hair stand on end," from horrere "to bristle, to stand on end" (see horror) + -ficus, from stem of facere "to make, do" (see factitious). Related: Horrifically.
Example
- 1. When scientists violate moral taboos , we expect horrific consequences .
- 2. But the recession has inflicted horrific damage on the government 's accounts .
- 3. Fortunately , the hound escaped before the horrific punishment could be delivered .
- 4. The vietnam war was a horrific experience , but I never regretted volunteering .
- 5. They seem concerned that it will constitute a horrific blow to our collective ego .