formidable

Etymology

Borrowed from Middle French formidable, from Latin formīdābilis (“formidable, terrible”), from formīdō (“fear, dread”).

Pronunciation

• (US) IPA^(key): /ˈfɔːɹmɪdəbəl/, IPA^(key): /fɔːɹˈmɪdəbəl/
• (UK) IPA^(key): /fəˈmɪdəbəl/

• Audio (US)

  (file)

Adjective

formidable (comparative more formidable, superlative most formidable)

1. Causing fear, dread, awe, or discouragement as a result of size, strength, or some other impressive feature; commanding respect; causing wonder or astonishment.
2. 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.

Etymology

Borrowed from Latin formīdābilis (“formidable, terrible”), from formīdō (“fear, dread”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /fɔʁ.mi.dabl/

• audio

  (file)

Adjective

formidable (plural formidables)

1. (dated or literary) fearsome
2. fantastic, tremendous

Further reading

• “formidable” in le Trésor de la langue française informatisé (The Digitized Treasury of the French Language).

Adjective

formidable

1. definite singular of formidabel
2. plural of formidabel

Adjective

formidable

1. definite singular of formidabel
2. plural of formidabel

Etymology

Borrowed from Latin formidabilis.

Adjective

formidable (plural formidables)

1. great, fantastic, tremendous
2. formidable