ENGLISH
REFERENCE

formidable

adj.
US //ˈfɔɹmədəbəɫ// UK //fɔːmˈɪdəbəl// for·mi·da·ble
  1. 1 inspiring respect or fear (adj.)
    C1 Advanced Formal

    very powerful or impressive in a way that makes you feel respect or a little bit of fear.

    inspiring fear, dread, or awe through impressive size, power, or capability.

    Example

    The champion was a formidable opponent who had never lost a match.

    Example

    The CEO had a formidable reputation for efficiency, which made even the most senior managers nervous during their annual reviews.
  2. 2 difficult to overcome (adj.)
    C1 Advanced Formal

    very difficult to deal with or defeat.

    presenting a significant obstacle or challenge that is difficult to surmount.

    Example

    The team faced a formidable task when they had to rebuild the bridge in two days.

    Example

    Climbing the north face of the mountain remains a formidable challenge, even for the most experienced mountaineers using modern equipment.
Origin

From Middle English formidable, from Old French formidable, formible, from Latin formīdābilis (“formidable, terrible”), from formīdō (“fear, dread”).

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