scary
0 antonyms and opposites of scary, grouped by meaning.
Adjective — Causing fear or unease.
How to use scary
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From "scare" plus the adjective-forming suffix "-y."
Full origin of scary →Frequently asked questions
What does “scary” mean?
The word “scary” means causing fear or unease. In plain terms, frightening, or unsettling in a way that makes you uneasy.
How do you pronounce “scary”?
“Scary” is pronounced SKEH-uh-ree (/ˈskɛə.ɹi/ in IPA).
How do you use “scary” in a sentence?
Here is “scary” used in a sentence: “The abandoned house looked scary at night.”
What part of speech is “scary”?
“Scary” is an adjective.
Is “scary” a common word?
“Scary” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
What is the difference between scary and scared?
"Scary" describes what causes fear — a scary film or a scary noise. "Scared" describes the person feeling the fear: "I was scared." Mixing them up, as in "I'm so scary of spiders," is a common learner error; the thing is scary, the person is scared.
Is scary informal?
"Scary" is standard English but leans conversational; in formal writing, "frightening" or "alarming" often fits better. It is entirely acceptable in journalism and everyday prose.
What is the difference between scary and creepy?
"Scary" is the general word for anything causing fear or unease, from sudden shocks to real dangers. "Creepy" is narrower, describing a slow, skin-crawling unease, often caused by something unsettlingly strange rather than an outright threat.
Is it "scarier" or "more scary"?
The standard comparative and superlative are "scarier" and "scariest," following the usual rule for two-syllable adjectives ending in -y. "More scary" is heard in speech and is not strictly wrong, but "scarier" is the preferred form in writing.