horrid

Horrid is an adjective used to describe something extremely unpleasant or shocking, capable of arousing horror or strong dislike. It can refer to sensory experiences such as smells or weather, as well as to people, behavior, or events, emphasizing the degree of unappeal.

The word comes from Latin horridus, meaning bristling or dreadful, passing through Old French before entering English in the Middle Ages. It shares roots with related terms such as horror and horrific.

Usage varies by variety of English. In British English, horrid is common for everyday annoyances and mild disgust, but it can be insulting when applied to a person. In American English, it is understood but somewhat less frequent in formal writing. Examples: “a horrid smell,” “a horrid day,” “a horrid person.”

Horrid is closely related to, but less intense than, horrific or horrendous. The adverb horridly exists but is uncommon in modern usage; it is usually clearer to say “in a horrid way.” Related nouns include horror. Overall, horrid conveys strong negative impression without necessarily implying extreme or graphic fear.