What's the difference between
and
Enter two words to compare and contrast their definitions, origins, and synonyms to better understand how those words are related.

Somewhat vs Terribly - What's the difference?

somewhat | terribly |

As adverbs the difference between somewhat and terribly

is that somewhat is to a limited extent or degree while terribly is causing terror or awe.

As a pronoun somewhat

is (archaic) something.

As a noun somewhat

is more or less; a certain quantity or degree; a part, more or less; something.

somewhat

English

Alternative forms

* (qualifier) summat (and variants listed there)

Adverb

(-)
  • To a limited extent or degree.
  • *
    • , title=(The Celebrity), chapter=2 , passage=I had occasion […] to make a somewhat long business trip to Chicago, and on my return […] I found Farrar awaiting me in the railway station. He smiled his wonted fraction by way of greeting, […], and finally leading me to his buggy, turned and drove out of town. I was completely mystified at such an unusual proceeding.}}

    See also

    * slightly

    Pronoun

    (English Pronouns)
  • (archaic) Something.
  • * 1590 , (Edmund Spenser), The Faerie Queene , III.12:
    • Proceeding to the midst he stil did stand, / As if in minde he somewhat had to say […].
  • * Robert Trail
    • But this text and theme I am upon, relates to somewhat far higher and greater, than all the beholdings of his glory that ever any saint on earth received.
  • * 1851 , Herman Melville, Moby-Dick
    • Not seldom in this life, when, on the right side, fortune's favourites sail close by us, we, though all adroop before, catch somewhat of the rushing breeze, and joyfully feel our bagging sails fill out.

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • More or less; a certain quantity or degree; a part, more or less; something.
  • * Grew
    • These salts have somewhat of a nitrous taste.
  • * Dryden
    • Somewhat of his good sense will suffer, in this transfusion, and much of the beauty of his thoughts will be lost.
  • A person or thing of importance; a somebody.
  • * Tennyson
    • Here come those that worship me. / They think that I am somewhat .

    Statistics

    * English degree adverbs English hedges

    terribly

    English

    Adverb

    (en adverb)
  • Causing terror or awe.
    • The lion roared terribly .
  • Very; extremely.
    • He's terribly busy and you really shouldn't bother him.
  • * {{quote-news
    • , year=2011 , date=December 15 , author=Felicity Cloake , title=How to cook the perfect nut roast , work=Guardian citation , page= , passage=The parsnip, stilton and chestnut combination may taste good, but it's not terribly decorative. In fact, dull's the word, a lingering adjectival ghost of nut roasts past that I'm keen to banish from the table. Mary Berry wraps her version in strips of chargrilled aubergine but, although it looks rather smart, I worry that something so Mediterranean will stick out like a sore thumb on the plate, given that many vegetarians want to enjoy the same roast potatoes, sprouts and sauces as everyone else. Instead, inspired by the stuffed cabbage rolls eaten at Christmas in the Balkans and Eastern Europe, I use blanched savoy cabbage leaves to wrap my parsnippy parcel, adding a touch of festive greenery to the dish.}}
  • Very badly.
    • She even signed up for karaoke, although she sang terribly .

    Usage notes

    * Adjectives to which "terribly" is often applied: wrong, sorry, important, difficult, hard, afraid, sad, bad, expensive, long, upset, exciting, fast, excited, slow, cold, hot, busy, concerned, pleased, interesting, painful, funny, lonely, ill, good, tired, strong, confused, serious, fond, old, angry, anxious, effective, depressed, familiar, attractive, happy, poor, hungry, sick, big, nice, small, dull, clever, dirty, proud, disappointing, sweet, original, ashamed, efficient, successful, jealous, simple, strange, cruel.

    Synonyms

    * (very) very, extremely, awfully, horribly