# terrific

> English word · Adjective · IPA /təˈɹɪfɪk/ · frequency rank #8,364

## Definitions
1. Terrifying, causing terror; terrible; sublime, awe-inspiring.
2. Very strong or intense; excessive, tremendous.
3. Extremely good; excellent, amazing.

## Etymology
From French terrifique, and its source, Latin terrificus (“terrifying”), from terrēre (“to frighten, terrify”) + -ficus, related to facere (“to make”). By surface analysis, terrify + -ic.
The sense of excellent or amazing is an ameliorative semantic shift from the original sense of terrifying. Compare similar semantic development in sick and wicked.

## Easily confused with
- **terrify** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/terrific-vs-terrify)
- **terrified** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/terrific-vs-terrified)

## Common misspellings (10)
`etrrific`, `terific`, `terirfic`, `terrfiic`, `terrifci`, `terriffic`, `terrificc`, `terriifc`, `trerific`, `tterrific`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/terrific