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Horror: meaning, definitions and examples

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horror

 

[หˆhษ’rษ™r ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

movies

A genre of fiction that is intended to scare, unsettle, or horrify the audience. Horror stories often involve supernatural elements, monsters, or psychological thrillers.

Synonyms

dread, fright, terror.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
horror

When describing a deep feeling of shock and fear, often caused by something gruesome or extremely disturbing.

  • The movie was so graphic it filled me with horror.
  • She felt horror upon discovering the crime scene.
terror

When describing an intense, overwhelming fear, often linked to violence or extreme danger.

  • The village was in terror after the monster appeared.
  • His face was filled with terror during the earthquake.
fright

When referring to a sudden feeling of fear, often caused by something unexpected or surprising.

  • The loud noise gave her a fright.
  • He nearly jumped out of his skin in fright when the door slammed shut.
dread

When talking about a strong feeling of worry or fear about something that might happen in the future.

  • She felt a sense of dread as the exam results approached.
  • His dread of speaking in public made him very nervous.

Examples of usage

  • The new horror movie is getting great reviews.
  • She loves to watch horror films late at night.
  • The book is a collection of classic horror stories.
  • The haunted house attraction was full of horror-themed decorations.
  • The horror genre has a dedicated fan base.
Context #2 | Noun

feeling

An intense feeling of fear, shock, or disgust.

Synonyms

disgust, shock, terror.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
horror

Used when something is extremely frightening or shocking, often related to danger or violence.

  • She watched in horror as the building collapsed.
  • The movie was filled with scenes of horror.
terror

Used in situations involving extreme fear, often linked to threats or violence, and usually implying a prolonged state of fear rather than a momentary reaction.

  • The children screamed in terror as the monster appeared.
  • Living in a war zone, they were in constant terror.
shock

Best used when describing a sudden and surprising event that causes strong emotional reactions, which can be either negative or, less frequently, mildly neutral.

  • The news of his sudden death came as a shock to everyone.
  • Her unexpected visit was a pleasant shock.
disgust

Applied when something is extremely unpleasant or offensive, often related to bad smells, tastes, or moral outrage. The context typically involves a strong aversion.

  • He looked at the rotten food with disgust.
  • She expressed her disgust at the unfair treatment.

Examples of usage

  • She felt a wave of horror when she saw the crime scene.
  • The horror on his face was evident as he realized what had happened.
  • The idea of being alone in the dark filled her with horror.
  • The horror of the situation was overwhelming.
  • The horror of war is depicted in many novels.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The word 'horror' comes from the Latin word 'horrere', which means 'to shudder' or 'to bristle'.
  • In Middle English, the word 'horry' described things that caused fear or dread.
  • The term began to be widely used to describe scary stories and films in the 19th century.

Literature

  • Horror as a genre became prominent in Gothic literature, with classics like Mary Shelley's 'Frankenstein' and Bram Stoker's 'Dracula'.
  • Modern horror often explores psychological distress, seen in works by Stephen King and H.P. Lovecraft.
  • The genre has evolved into various sub-genres like supernatural, psychological, and slasher horror.

Film

  • The first horror film is often considered to be 'Le Manoir du Diable' from 1896, featuring a devil and various apparitions.
  • Iconic horror movies like 'Psycho', 'The Exorcist', and 'Halloween' have shaped the industry and influenced countless remakes.
  • The horror genre in films often uses sound and editing techniques to build tension and surprise audiences.

Psychology

  • Experiencing horror can trigger the body's fight-or-flight response, leading to increased heart rate and adrenaline.
  • Many enjoy horror because it provides a safe way to confront fear, allowing for catharsis without real danger.
  • Studies show that viewing horror films can foster bonding among viewers, as shared scares can create stronger social connections.

Pop Culture

  • 'Horror' has transcended its origins, influencing music, fashion, and art movements like Goth and Punk.
  • High-profile events like Halloween have integrated horror themes into mainstream culture, from costumes to decorations.
  • Horror-themed video games have become incredibly popular, with franchises like 'Resident Evil' and 'Silent Hill' captivating audiences.

Translations

Translations of the word "horror" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น horror

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคกเคฐเคพเคตเคจเฅ€

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช Horror

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ horor

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะถะฐั…

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ horror

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ใƒ›ใƒฉใƒผ

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท horreur

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ horror

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท korku

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ํ˜ธ๋Ÿฌ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ุฑุนุจ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ horor

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ horor

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ๆๆ€–

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ groza

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ hryllingur

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ า›ะพั€า›ั‹ะฝั‹ัˆ

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒกแƒแƒจแƒ˜แƒœแƒ”แƒšแƒ”แƒ‘แƒ

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ dษ™hลŸษ™t

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ horror

Word Frequency Rank

At #5,403 in frequency, this word belongs to advanced vocabulary. It's less common than core vocabulary but important for sophisticated expression.