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horrible

horrible; dreadful

adjective oh-RREE-bleh Rare
Descriptions & Qualities Quality

Origin: From Latin 'horribilis', from 'horrere' (to bristle, shudder).

Usage Note

Horrible is invariable by gender (un día horrible, una experiencia horrible) and is a strong intensifier in colloquial Spanish — stronger than feo or malo. Spaniards often use it hyperbolically ('hace un frío horrible'). Learners should not confuse it with hórrido, a rare literary doublet. The initial h is always silent.

Examples

"Tuvimos un tiempo horrible durante el viaje."

Natural Translation

We had horrible weather during the trip.

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