OpenEtymology

terribly

UKˈterəbliUSˈterəbli

Meaning

1adv.

非常,极度(表程度)

2adv.

糟糕地,可怕地(表负面评价)

Structure

word structure
1
terr
恐惧
+
2
ibly
副词后缀

Usage

She was terribly excited about the trip.

她对这次旅行感到无比兴奋。

The car was terribly damaged in the accident.

这辆车在事故中损毁严重。

He played the piano terribly but with enthusiasm.

他钢琴弹得很糟糕,但充满热情。

Etymology

terribly 的“恐惧”基因深藏词根。最初描述“令人恐惧的程度”,后弱化为强调极端性(如 terribly happy),同时保留负面评价(如 terribly wrong)。副词后缀 -ibly 将形容词 terrible 转化为副词,逻辑链条清晰:恐惧→极端→程度强化。

Analysis

Structure
terribly=terr恐惧+ibly副词后缀

• terr:源自拉丁语 terrere(使害怕),现代英语中保留“恐惧”核心含义,如 terror(恐怖)。

• ibly:副词后缀 -ibly 的变体,源自拉丁语 -ibilis(能够…的),转化为英语后表示“以…方式”。

词源溯源: terribly 的“恐惧”基因深藏词根。最初描述“令人恐惧的程度”,后弱化为强调极端性(如 terribly happy),同时保留负面评价(如 terribly wrong)。副词后缀 -ibly 将形容词 terrible 转化为副词,逻辑链条清晰:恐惧→极端→程度强化。

Terribly Meaning & Word Parts (terr + ibly) | OpenEtymology