Definition of horrible

The word "horrible" originated in Middle English around the 14th century. It is derived from the Old French "horrestoute," which in turn came from the Latin "horribilis," meaning "causing fright, terrible." In its earliest usage, "horrible" had a more specific meaning than it does today. It referred specifically to something that inspired fear or dread, such as a ghost or a dreadful calamity. Over time, the meaning of the word has broadened to include simply that which is very bad, unpleasant, or revolting in some way. Interestingly, the word "horrible" has been the subject of some debate and controversy over the years. In the 17th century, religious scholars argued that the word should be banned from religious texts because it encouraged blasphemous thoughts and expressions. Others have argued that the word should be replaced with more descriptive and specific language, as it is often used as a vague and overused term for describing things that are merely unpleasant or undesirable. Despite these controversies, "horrible" has remained a common and widely used word in English, and its usage shows no signs of declining. Whether used to describe something truly terrible, or simply something that falls short of one's expectations, "horrible" continues to be a powerful and evocative term in the English language.