What’s the difference between horrible and horrid?

What’s the difference between horrible and horrid?

“Horrible” and “horrid” are synonyms. Both words are used to describe something that is unpleasant. They can also be used to say that something is bad.

In addition, “Horrible” can mean that something is frightening.

“Horrid” is perhaps a bit old-fashioned. It used to be used mostly in children’s books when a naughty child, a taste, a smell or an experience might be described as “horrid”. It isn’t used much these days

It’s probably better to use “horrible” rather than “horrid”, but it’s still OK to use “horrid” if you prefer.

There are many similar words.

If you want to say the something is frightening (a horror film, for example), you might use:

• Horrible
• Terrible
• Frightening
• Hair-raising
• Scary
• Horrific
• Horrifying
• Shocking
• Terrifying
• Spine-chilling

They all give the same sort of meaning. I think “terrifying” and “horrifying” are perhaps the strongest words.

If you want to say that something is bad, you might use:

• Bad
• Horrible
• Horrid
• Terrible
• Abysmal
• Atrocious
• Appalling
• Abominable

“Abysmal”, “atrocious”, “appalling” and “abdominal” are probably stronger words than “bad”, “horrible”, “horrid” and “terrible”.

If you want to say that something is unpleasant, you might use:

• Unpleasant
• Horrible
• Horrid
• Terrible
• Gross
• Abhorrent
• Disgusting
• Execrable
• Foul
• Sickening
• Odious
• Obnoxious
• Hideous
• Loathsome
• Nauseating
• Repellent
• Repugnant

They are all synonyms, but “disgusting” is stronger than “unpleasant”, for example. “Execrable” is stronger than “gross”. And “nauseating” is stronger than “sickening”.

Thanks to Olesya for the question.

^{Posted by Graham}