/ həˈrɪfɪk; NAmE / adjective
1.
extremely bad and shocking or frightening
SYN horrifying :
a horrific murder / accident / attack, etc.
Her injuries were horrific.
2.
( informal ) very bad or unpleasant
SYN horrendous :
We had a horrific trip.
HELP NOTE : Some speakers do not pronounce the 'h' at the beginning of horrific and use 'an' instead of 'a' before it. This now sounds old-fashioned.
► hor·rif·ic·al·ly / -kli; NAmE / adverb
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WORD ORIGIN
mid 17th cent.: from Latin horrificus , from horrere tremble, shudder.