FORMIDABLE definition : 1. Someone who is formidable is strong and slightly frightening: 2. difficult and needing a lot of…. Learn more. People who are formidable inspire fear and respect thanks to their size, or special ability, or unusual qualities. If you're a wildly popular celebrity, you probably don't go anywhere without a formidable bodyguard. Definition of formidable adjective in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning , pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more. Formidable definition : causing fear, apprehension, or dread.. See examples of FORMIDABLE used in a sentence.