scary

adjective

ˈsker-ē 

scarier; scariest

1

: causing fright : alarming

a scary story

2

: easily scared : timid

3

: feeling alarm or fright : frightened

scarily

ˈsker-ə-lē 

adverb

Synonyms

• alarming
• dire
• direful
• dread
• dreadful
• fearful
• fearsome
• forbidding
• formidable
• frightening
• frightful
• ghastly
• hair-raising
• horrendous
• horrible
• horrifying
• intimidating
• redoubtable
• shocking
• spine-chilling
• terrible
• terrifying

Examples of scary in a Sentence

a scary movie that gave the child nightmares for weeks afterwards

a scary horse who spooked and kicked at its own shadow

Recent Examples on the Web

Obsessing over every scary headline will not change that reality. —Jonathan I. Shenkman, Forbes, 31 Dec. 2024

Ron Howard's family narrowly avoided a scary incident at his wife Cheryl's birthday party. —Tommy McArdle, People.com, 31 Dec. 2024

If this was the year AI music began announcing its scary ascent, here overall were examples of actual humans taking vintage forms — singer-songwriter pop, Latin, alt rock, dance music, troubadour folk, hip-hop blends — and regenerating them on their own. —Rolling Stone, 28 Dec. 2024

The scariest Doom entry Doom 3 is considered to be one of the best space horror games ever, and for good reason. —Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 26 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1582, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

scary

adjective

ˈske(ə)r-ē 

ˈska(ə)r-

scarier; scariest

1

: causing fright : alarming

a scary movie

2

: easily scared : timid

3

: feeling alarm or fright : scared, frightened

scary feeling

scarily

-ə-lē 

adverb