adv
terribly
TEHR-ih-blee
adv
1
Very badly or poorly.
"The team played terribly in the second half."
2
Extremely; used to intensify an adjective.
"I'm terribly sorry for the delay."
How to Use Terribly
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishCan mean "very badly" or simply "very," depending on context.
When to use it
The intensifying use ("terribly sorry," "terribly kind") is especially common in British English and can sound quite formal or old-fashioned.
Word Forms
more terribly comparative, most terribly superlative
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The team played _____ in the second half.
Etymology
From terrible + the adverb-forming suffix -ly.