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

People can discover new ways of relating to our bodies or different ways of thinking about transness or queerness in ways that aren’t so scary or alienating for them but that feel inviting and welcoming. —Maximilíano Durón, ARTnews.com, 3 Mar. 2025

Weighty — and scary — subject matter for a tween, Blair got the role of Regan with just a couple of prior credits under her belt. —Diana Pearl, People.com, 2 Mar. 2025

Movements like populism, which want to make culture this monolithic gray thing, are so scary. —Anthony Byrt, Artforum, 1 Mar. 2025

In October 1990, when the first Gulf War was providing scary visuals on the evening news, 70.3% of AAII survey participants were bearish. —John Buckingham, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1582, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for scary

• aerie
• airy
• arie
• barre
• cherry
• clary
• dairy
• eyrie
• faerie
• faery
• fairy
• ferry

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