Scary Definition & Meaning

American

British

Etymology

Examples

Related Words

Synonyms scary American [skair-ee] / ˈskɛər i /

adjective

scarier, scariest

1. causing fright or alarm.

2. easily frightened; timid.

scary British / ˈskɛərɪ /

adjective

1. causing fear or alarm; frightening

2. easily roused to fear; timid

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of scary

First recorded in 1575–85; scare + -y 1

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Then, a few seconds later, we hear Gabriel’s voice isolated in scary clarity: Shake hands.

From Los Angeles Times

“It’s been scary at times, it’s been nerve-racking at times. … I just figure I’m in the same boat everybody else is in.”

From Los Angeles Times

With the exception of Nacua repeatedly banging his fist to his chest — can you blame him? — the Rams are steady and steadfast and just so scary.

From Los Angeles Times

Two heists made in broad daylight present a scarier challenge for museums worn out by soup-throwing protesters.

From The Wall Street Journal

"Everything is so gloomy and the world is a bit of a scary place at the moment - houses want to be joyful," she said.

From BBC

Related Words

• alarming
• chilling
• creepy
• eerie
• hairy
• horrifying
• intimidating
• shocking
• spooky

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.