How to pronounce terrible
Say it like TER-uh-bul. Terrible has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (TER).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce terrible. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- TER
- uh
- bul
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Terrible pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- TERSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- bulKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of terrible
American and British speakers say terrible in essentially the same way: /ˈtɛrəbəl/ in the US and /ˈtɛrɪbəl/ in the UK.
British respelling: TER-ih-bul.
What does terrible mean?
- causing fear or dread or terror“the awful war”“an awful risk”
- exceptionally bad or displeasing“atrocious taste”“abominable workmanship”
- intensely or extremely bad or unpleasant in degree or quality“severe pain”“a severe case of flu”
Where does terrible come from?
Displaced Old English atol and sliþe, while also largely overtaking grimm.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with terrible
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of terrible.
Questions about saying terrible
How do you pronounce terrible?
Say TER-uh-bul. The American pronunciation is /ˈtɛrəbəl/. In British English it is /ˈtɛrɪbəl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in terrible?
Terrible has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (TER). Broken into parts: TER · uh · bul.
Do Americans and Brits say terrible the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈtɛrəbəl/ and the British form is /ˈtɛrɪbəl/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.