Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Formidable
For′mi-da-ble
,Adj.
[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.
They seemed to fear the
formodable
sight. Dryden.
Syn. – Dreadful; fearful; terrible; frightful; shocking; horrible; terrific; tremendous.
Webster 1828 Edition
Formidable
FORM'IDABLE
,Adj.
Exciting fear or apprehension; impressing dread; adapted to excite fear and deter from approach, encounter or undertaking. It expresses less than terrible, terrific, tremendous, horrible, and frightful.
They seemed to fear the formidable sight.
I swell my preface into a volume, and make it formidable, when you see so many pages behind.
Definition 2024
formidable
formidable
English
Adjective
formidable (comparative more formidable, superlative most formidable)
- Causing fear, dread, awe, or discouragement as a result of size, strength, or some other impressive feature; commanding respect; causing wonder or astonishment
- Difficult to defeat or overcome
- 2012 May 9, John Percy, “Birmingham City 2 Blackpool 2 (2-3 on agg): match report”, in the Telegraph:
- Holloway has unfinished business in the Premier League after relegation last year and he will make a swift return if he can overcome West Ham a week on Saturday. Sam Allardyce, the West Ham manager, will be acutely aware that when the stakes are high, Blackpool are simply formidable.
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Translations
causing fear, dread, awe or admiration as a result of size, strength, or some other impressive quality
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difficult to defeat or overcome
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French
Etymology
From Latin formīdābilis (“formidable, terrible”), from formīdō (“fear, dread”).
Pronunciation
- IPA(key): /fɔʁmidabl/
Adjective
formidable m, f (plural formidables)
- (dated or literary) fearsome
- fantastic, tremendous