frightening
FREYE-tuh-nihng
Frightening (adj) means causing fear; scary. Example: “It was a frightening experience being alone in the dark house.”
adj
1
Causing fear; scary.
"It was a frightening experience being alone in the dark house."
"The statistics on climate change are frightening."
"The thunder was so loud that the little boy found the storm frightening."
2
Informally, extremely bad or shocking.
"His handwriting is frightening — I can barely read a word of it."
"The queue at the post office was frightening, so I came back later."
"Honestly, the amount of homework we get this week is frightening."
How to use frightening
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomething that makes you feel scared, or (informally) something shockingly bad.
Common pairings
a frightening thought
frightening speed
frightening prospect
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more frightening
- Superlative
- most frightening
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
It was a _____ experience being alone in the dark house.
Etymology
Formed from "frighten" plus "-ing", turning the verb into a descriptive word.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
nonfrightening
unfrightening
Related words
Rhymes for frightening
evening
opening
widening
awakening
happening
weakening
deafening
maddening
listening
gardening
sickening
fattening
See all rhymes for frightening →
Frequently asked questions
What does “frightening” mean?
The word “frightening” means causing fear; scary. In plain terms, something that makes you feel scared, or (informally) something shockingly bad.
How do you pronounce “frightening”?
“Frightening” is pronounced FREYE-tuh-nihng (/ˈfɹaɪtənɪŋ/ in IPA).
How do you use “frightening” in a sentence?
Here is “frightening” used in a sentence: “It was a frightening experience being alone in the dark house.”
What is another word for “frightening”?
Words with a similar meaning to “frightening” include affreux, alarming, spine-tingling, appalling, awful and eldritch.
What is the opposite of “frightening”?
The opposite of “frightening” — its antonyms — are nonfrightening and unfrightening.
What part of speech is “frightening”?
“Frightening” is an adjective.
Is “frightening” a common word?
“Frightening” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “frightening” have?
“Frightening” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: causing fear; scary.
What is the difference between frightening and scary?
Frightening and scary both describe something that causes fear, and the two words are largely interchangeable, though frightening can sound slightly more formal. Scary is more common in casual, everyday speech.
What is the difference between frightening and terrifying?
Frightening describes something that causes fear in general, while terrifying suggests a much more intense, overwhelming level of fear. Terrifying is typically reserved for extreme situations, whereas frightening covers a wider range of unsettling experiences.
Can frightening be used informally to mean something other than scary?
Yes, frightening is sometimes used informally to describe something extremely bad or shocking, such as a frightening mess, rather than literally causing fear. This usage relies on exaggeration for emphasis.
