Added 10 October 2026
formidable
/fɔːˈmɪdəbəl/ adjective
In Latin: formīdābilis Wiktionary
adjective Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about formidable at Wordnik → Where our words come from →
- 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.
a formidable opponent
Origin
From Middle English formidable, from Old French formidable, formible, from Latin formīdābilis (“formidable, terrible”) (whence -able), from formīdō (“fear, dread”).
From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)