Word
formidable
Phoneticsfor·mi·da·ble, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈfɔɹmədəbəɫ/
UK/fɔːmˈɪdəbəl/
Definitions
01inspiring respect or fear
C1 · Advanced Formal
adj. very powerful or impressive in a way that makes you feel respect or a little bit of fear.
adj. inspiring fear, dread, or awe through impressive size, power, or capability.
“The champion was a formidable opponent who had never lost a match.”
“The CEO had a formidable reputation for efficiency, which made even the most senior managers nervous during their annual reviews.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
02difficult to overcome
C1 · Advanced Formal
adj. very difficult to deal with or defeat.
adj. presenting a significant obstacle or challenge that is difficult to surmount.
Español:formidable
“The team faced a formidable task when they had to rebuild the bridge in two days.”
“Climbing the north face of the mountain remains a formidable challenge, even for the most experienced mountaineers using modern equipment.”
Synonyms
Real-World Examples
“Hidden inside the fossil were pincerlike limbs and preserved soft tissues that help explain how the ancestors of spiders and scorpions evolved into formidable hunters.” “The front runners are dynamic politicians and formidable leaders.” “Photograph: Colorsport/Shutterstock The prevailing work ethic in pit villages throughout the coalfield helped to mould such formidable players.” Etymology
From Middle English formidable, from Old French formidable, formible, from Latin formīdābilis (“formidable, terrible”), from formīdō (“fear, dread”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/formidable
Traducciones: Kaikki.org (Wiktionary), CC BY-SA 4.0