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adv

grisly

GRIHZ-lee

Grisly (adv) means In a horrifying or gruesome manner. Example: “The crime scene was described grisly in the report.”

adv
1
In a horrifying or gruesome manner.
"The crime scene was described grisly in the report."

How to use grisly

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishDescribes something done or shown in a gruesome, horrifying way.

Common mistake

Don't confuse with "grizzly" (the bear) — they sound alike but are unrelated.

Easily confused with

Word forms

more grisly comparative, most grisly superlative

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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The crime scene was described _____ in the report.

Etymology

Related to an old word for "horror" or "terror," and closely tied to the more commonly used adjective "grisly," meaning horrifying or gruesome.

Frequently asked questions

What does “grisly” mean?

The word “grisly” means in a horrifying or gruesome manner. In plain terms, describes something done or shown in a gruesome, horrifying way.

How do you pronounce “grisly”?

“Grisly” is pronounced GRIHZ-lee (/ˈɡɹɪzli/ in IPA).

How do you use “grisly” in a sentence?

Here is “grisly” used in a sentence: “The crime scene was described grisly in the report.”

What part of speech is “grisly”?

“Grisly” is an adverb.

Definitions: FreeDict original editorial