terribly

From terrible +‎ -ly.

• Audio (US)

  (file)

terribly (comparative more terribly, superlative most terribly)

1. (literary or dated) So as to cause terror or awe.

   The lion roared terribly.

2. Very; extremely.

   He's terribly busy and you really shouldn't bother him.

   • 2011 December 15, Felicity Cloake, “How to cook the perfect nut roast”, in Guardian‎:

     The parsnip, stilton and chestnut combination may taste good, but it's not terribly decorative. In fact, dull's the word, a lingering adjectival ghost of nut roasts past that I'm keen to banish from the table.

3. Very badly.

   She took part in the karaoke, but sang terribly.

• Adjectives to which "terribly" is often applied: wrong, sorry, important, difficult, hard, afraid, sad, bad, expensive, long, upset, exciting, fast, excited, slow, cold, hot, busy, concerned, pleased, interesting, painful, funny, lonely, ill, good, tired, strong, confused, serious, fond, old, angry, anxious, effective, depressed, familiar, attractive, happy, poor, hungry, sick, big, nice, small, dull, clever, dirty, proud, disappointing, sweet, original, ashamed, efficient, successful, jealous, simple, strange, cruel.

• (causing terror or awe): grisly (obsolete)
• (very): very, extremely, awfully, horribly