formidable

  • 1formidable — [ fɔrmidabl ] adj. • v. 1537; h. 1392; lat. formidabilis, de formidare « craindre, redouter » 1 ♦ Vieilli Qui inspire ou est de nature à inspirer une grande crainte. ⇒ effrayant, épouvantable, redoutable, terrible. « Son aspect était formidable… …

    Encyclopédie Universelle

  • 2formidable — adjetivo 1. (ser / estar, antepuesto / pospuesto) Que es extraordinario o magnífico por ser grande, bueno o agradable: Su casa es formidable. Desde que haces gimnasia estás formidable. Luis es un formidable amigo. He pasado una tarde formidable.… …

    Diccionario Salamanca de la Lengua Española

  • 3formidable — FORMIDABLE. adj. de t.g. Redoutable, qui est à craindre, C est un homme formidable. c est la chose du monde la plus formidable. une puissance formidable. des troupes formidables. il s est rendu formidable par la rapidité de ses conquestes …

    Dictionnaire de l'Académie française

  • 4Formidable — For mi*da*ble, a. [L. formidabilis, fr. formidare to fear, dread: cf. F. formidable.] Exciting fear or apprehension; impressing dread; adapted to excite fear and deter from approach, encounter, or undertaking; alarming. [1913 Webster] They seemed …

    The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • 5formidable — (adj.) mid 15c., from M.Fr. formidable (15c.), from L. formidabilis causing fear, terrible, from formidare to fear, from formido fearfulness, fear, terror, dread. Related: Formidably …

    Etymology dictionary

  • 6formidable — [adj1] horrible, terrifying appalling, awful, dangerous, daunting, dire, dismaying, dreadful, fearful, fierce, frightful, horrific, imposing, impregnable, intimidating, menacing, redoubtable, shocking, terrible, terrific, threatening; concept 537 …

    New thesaurus

  • 7formidable — I adjective alarming, appalling, arduous, awe inspiring, awesome, dangerous, deterring, difficult, disturbing, dreadful, exciting fear, fear inspiring, fearful, fierce, formidolosus, frightening, frightful, hard to overcome, horrible, horrifying …

    Law dictionary

  • 8formidable — The standard pronunciation is with the stress on the first syllable, although the word is often heard with the stress on the second syllable …

    Modern English usage

  • 9formidable — (Del lat. formidabĭlis). 1. adj. Muy temible y que infunde asombro y miedo. 2. Excesivamente grande en su línea. 3. coloq. magnífico …

    Diccionario de la lengua española

  • 10formidable — ► ADJECTIVE ▪ inspiring fear or respect through being impressively large, powerful, or capable. DERIVATIVES formidably adverb. ORIGIN Latin formidabilis, from formidare to fear …

    English terms dictionary