Formidable
/ˈfɔːr.mɪ.də.bəl/noun
Inspiring fear, respect, or admiration because of great size, strength, skill, or power.
Did you know?Formidable comes from Latin formidabilis, meaning “to be feared,” from formidare, “to fear,” so its original energy was less “impressive” and more “dangerous omen.”
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*gʷhor-m-
“A root connected to fear or trembling, reflected in Latin formidare.”
Latin
Latin
formidare
“To fear, dread, be afraid of.”
Late Latin
Latin
formidabilis
“That which is to be feared; dreadful.”
Old French
Old French
formidable
“Fearsome, terrifying, causing dread.”
16th Century
English
formidable
“Causing fear or dread; formidable, awful.”
Modern English
English
formidable
“Inspiring fear, respect, or admiration because of great size, strength, skill, or power.”