# horrid

/ˈhɔɹəd/ (US) · /hˈɒɹɪd/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/horrid
Updated: 2026-05-07

## Definition

very unpleasant, unkind, or shocking. You use it to describe something that makes you feel disgusted or unhappy.

For teachers: causing horror, disgust, or strong dislike; extremely unpleasant or offensive. Often used to describe people's behavior or physical sensations.

## Examples

- The weather today is absolutely horrid.
- The children were being quite horrid to each other, so their mother sent them to their rooms.
- The protagonist's journey through the horrid, damp tunnels of the abandoned facility serves as a metaphor for his declining mental state throughout the novel.

## Usage notes

- Often used predicatively after linking verbs like 'be', 'look', or 'feel'.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.