horror
HOR-uh
Horror (noun) means a strong feeling of fear, shock, or disgust. Example: “She stared in horror as the car skidded off the road.”
noun
1
A strong feeling of fear, shock, or disgust.
"She stared in horror as the car skidded off the road."
"He watched the news with a growing sense of horror."
"To my horror, I realised I had left the oven on all day."
2
Something that causes this feeling.
"The horrors of war left the soldiers deeply scarred."
"The documentary revealed the horrors of the factory conditions."
"Finding a spider in the bath is a small horror for many people."
3
A genre of fiction or film built around fear and suspense.
"He loves horror movies, the scarier the better."
"The bookshop has a whole shelf dedicated to horror."
"We watched a classic horror film on a stormy night."
How to use horror
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA feeling of intense fear or disgust, or something that causes it — also a genre of scary books and films.
Common pairings
horror movie
horror story
in horror
the horrors of war
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Word forms
- Plural
- horrors
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She stared in _____ as the car skidded off the road.
Etymology
From Old French horror, going back to Latin horrere, "to bristle or shudder" — the same idea as hair standing on end from fear.
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “horror” mean?
The word “horror” means a strong feeling of fear, shock, or disgust. In plain terms, a feeling of intense fear or disgust, or something that causes it — also a genre of scary books and films.
How do you pronounce “horror”?
“Horror” is pronounced HOR-uh (/ˈhɔɹ.ɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “horror” in a sentence?
Here is “horror” used in a sentence: “She stared in horror as the car skidded off the road.”
What is another word for “horror”?
Words with a similar meaning to “horror” include nightmare.
What part of speech is “horror”?
“Horror” is a noun.
Where does the word “horror” come from?
The word “horror” comes from Latin. From Old French horror, going back to Latin horrere, "to bristle or shudder" — the same idea as hair standing on end from fear.
Is “horror” a common word?
“Horror” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “horror” have?
“Horror” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a strong feeling of fear, shock, or disgust.
What is the difference between horror and terror?
Terror is the intense fear felt when danger is imminent or anticipated — the dread before something happens. Horror is the shock and revulsion felt on witnessing something dreadful, often mixed with disgust. In short, terror grips you as you await a threat, while horror overwhelms you once you see it.
What is the difference between horror and fear?
Fear is the basic emotion of feeling threatened or in danger. Horror is stronger and more complex, combining fear with shock and disgust at something terrible or repellent. You can feel fear of ordinary risks, but horror is reserved for scenes or events that appal as well as frighten.
What is the horror genre?
In books, films, and games, horror is a genre designed to frighten, shock, or disturb its audience. It uses threats such as monsters, ghosts, or killers, along with suspense and unsettling imagery, to provoke the very feelings of fear and revulsion the word describes.
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