Transcription
-
- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
- UK Pronunciation
- UK IPA
-
- [fawr-mi-duh-buh l]
- /ˈfɔr mɪ də bəl/
- /fɔːˈmɪ.də.bl̩/
-
- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
-
- [fawr-mi-duh-buh l]
- /ˈfɔr mɪ də bəl/
Definitions of formidable word
- adjective formidable causing fear, apprehension, or dread: a formidable opponent. 1
- adjective formidable of discouraging or awesome strength, size, difficulty, etc.; intimidating: a formidable problem. 1
- adjective formidable arousing feelings of awe or admiration because of grandeur, strength, etc. 1
- adjective formidable of great strength; forceful; powerful: formidable opposition to the proposal. 1
- noun formidable Inspiring fear or respect through being impressively large, powerful, intense, or capable. 1
- adjective formidable impressive, awe-inspiring 1
Information block about the term
Origin of formidable
First appearance:
before 1400 One of the 24% oldest English words
1400-50; late Middle English < French < Latin formīdābilis causing fear, equivalent to formīd- (stem of formīdāre to fear) + -ābilis -able
Historical Comparancy
Parts of speech for Formidable
noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation
formidable popularity
A common word. It’s meaning is known to most children of preschool age. About 86% of English native speakers know the meaning and use the word.
Most Europeans know this English word. The frequency of it’s usage is somewhere between "mom" and "screwdriver".
formidable usage trend in Literature
This diagram is provided by Google Ngram ViewerSynonyms for formidable
adj formidable
- dreadful — causing great dread, fear, or terror; terrible: a dreadful storm.
- intimidating — to make timid; fill with fear.
- imposing — very impressive because of great size, stately appearance, dignity, elegance, etc.: Notre Dame, Rheims, and other imposing cathedrals of France.
- dangerous — If something is dangerous, it is able or likely to hurt or harm you.
- impregnable — susceptible to impregnation, as an egg.
adjective formidable
- forbidding — grim; unfriendly; hostile; sinister: his forbidding countenance.
- terrifying — to fill with terror or alarm; make greatly afraid.
- dismaying — Present participle of dismay.
- overwhelming — that overwhelms; overpowering: The temptation to despair may become overwhelming.
- ballbuster — Ball-breaker.
Antonyms for formidable
adj formidable
- trivial — of very little importance or value; insignificant: Don't bother me with trivial matters.
- unimportant — of much or great significance or consequence: an important event in world history.
- feeble — physically weak, as from age or sickness; frail.
- friendly — characteristic of or befitting a friend; showing friendship: a friendly greeting.
- harmless — without the power or desire to do harm; innocuous: He looks mean but he's harmless; a harmless Halloween prank.
adjective formidable
- uninspiring — to fill with an animating, quickening, or exalting influence: His courage inspired his followers.
- encouraging — Giving someone support or confidence; supportive.
Top questions with formidable
- what does formidable mean?
- what does the word formidable mean?
- what is formidable?
- what is the definition of formidable?
- what does formidable?
- what does formidable means?
- what does formidable for guile mean?
- what is the meaning of formidable?
- what does formidable mean in spanish?
- what is a synonym for formidable?
- what does formidable mean in french?
- what is formidable means?
- formidable what does it mean?
- what is another word for formidable?
- what is formidable in english?
See also
Matching words
- Words starting with f
- Words starting with fo
- Words starting with for
- Words starting with form
- Words starting with formi
- Words starting with formid
- Words starting with formida
- Words starting with formidab
- Words starting with formidabl
- Words starting with formidable