formidable

/fɔʁ.mi.dabl/

#1606 of 5,000 Core 5000

Translation

great, fantastic, tremendous

Word origin

From Latin formidabilis ('causing fear'), from formidare ('to dread'). The sense shifted in French from 'fearsome' to the modern enthusiastic 'tremendous'. The same root gives English 'formidable'.

Origin
Latin
Root
formidabilis
English cognates
formidable

Grammar

Masc pluralformidables

Examples

C' , !

That is fantastic news, I am very happy!

- .

My grandfather was a tremendous man.

.

They did a fantastic job this year.

Quelle !

What tremendous energy there was in the room!

.

You have a tremendous memory for details.

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This word is part of lesson 31.