horribly
UK[ˈhɒr.ə.bli]US[ˈhɔːr.ə.bli]
adv
in a very bad or unpleasant way; to a very great degree
adv
in a way that causes horror or shock
Morpheme Breakdown
horr
ible
ly
horr
shudder, dread
ible
capable of
ly
adverb suffix
Etymology
the word "horribly" traces its lineage to the latin verb horrēre, which originally described the physical reaction of bristling or shuddering, as with fear or cold. this root passed into english via old french, forming the adjective "horrible," meaning capable of causing a shudder of dread. the adverbial suffix "-ly," of germanic origin, was then appended to create "horribly," shifting the meaning to describe the manner in which something is done. thus, the word's evolution captures a journey from a concrete physical reaction to an abstract quality of causing shock, and finally to an adverb describing the extreme degree of an action.
Analysis
Structure: horr (shudder, dread) + ible (capable of) + ly (adverb suffix)
- horr: from latin horrēre, meaning to bristle, shudder, or tremble. it functions as the core root conveying the sense of dread.
- ible: a suffix of latin origin (-ibilis), meaning "capable of being." it turns the root into an adjective meaning "causing dread."
- ly: an adverbial suffix from old english -līce, used to form adverbs from adjectives.
Examples
the food was horribly overcooked and nearly inedible.
she was horribly injured in the accident.
i'm horribly sorry for being so late.