adj
Uncommon
eerie
EER-ree
Eerie (adj) means Strange and unsettling in a way that suggests something mysterious or supernatural. Example: “An eerie silence hung over the abandoned house.”
adj
1
Strange and unsettling in a way that suggests something mysterious or supernatural.
"The eerie sounds seemed to come from the graveyard after midnight."
"The whole city is immersed in a dystopian-looking smog: urban streets in sepia, emptier than usual, bathed in an eerie quiet."
— Samira Asma-Sadeque, ‘It’s too much’: New Yorkers don masks or stay inside amid smog crisis (2023)
"An eerie silence hung over the abandoned house."
"The fog gave the forest an eerie, otherworldly feel."
How to use eerie
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSpooky or unsettling in a quiet, mysterious way, rather than outright terrifying.
Common pairings
eerie silence
eerie glow
eerie feeling
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Word forms
- Plural
- eeries
- Comparative
- eerier
- Superlative
- eeriest
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
An _____ silence hung over the abandoned house.
Etymology
From Middle English eri ("fearful"), ultimately from an Old English word meaning "cowardly" — the sense shifted over time from feeling afraid to being the kind of thing that inspires fear.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for eerie
See all rhymes for eerie →Frequently asked questions
What does “eerie” mean?
The word “eerie” means strange and unsettling in a way that suggests something mysterious or supernatural. In plain terms, spooky or unsettling in a quiet, mysterious way, rather than outright terrifying.
How do you pronounce “eerie”?
“Eerie” is pronounced EER-ree (/ˈɪɚi/ in IPA).
How do you use “eerie” in a sentence?
Here is “eerie” used in a sentence: “An eerie silence hung over the abandoned house.”
What is another word for “eerie”?
Words with a similar meaning to “eerie” include chilling, creepy, eldritch, freakish, frightening and grim.
What part of speech is “eerie”?
“Eerie” is an adjective.
Where does the word “eerie” come from?
The word “eerie” comes from Old English. From Middle English eri ("fearful"), ultimately from an Old English word meaning "cowardly" — the sense shifted over time from feeling afraid to being the kind of thing that inspires fear.
Is “eerie” a common word?
“Eerie” is an uncommon word in modern English.
