Scary: meaning, definitions and examples

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scary

[ˈskɛri ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Adjective}

feeling fear or anxiety

Causing fear or anxiety; alarming. Synonyms: frightening, terrifying, alarming. It is a common human emotion to feel scared in dangerous situations.

Synonyms

alarming, frightening, terrifying.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
scary	Used to describe something that causes fear, typically more casually or informally. Suitable for general conversations. That horror movie was really scary. Walking home alone at night can be scary.
frightening	Used to describe something that induces fear or dread, usually on an emotional level. Commonly used in personal experiences or dramatic events. The thought of losing my job is frightening to me. It was a frightening experience to see the house on fire.
terrifying	Used to describe something that causes extreme fear. It is a stronger word compared to 'scary' and 'frightening', often used in very intense situations. She had a terrifying encounter with a bear while hiking. The idea of jumping out of a plane is terrifying to me.
alarming	Used to describe something that causes sudden anxiety or concern. Often used in news or reports. The alarming increase in crime rates has everyone worried. It is alarming how quickly the disease is spreading.

Examples of usage

The horror movie was too scary for me to watch alone.
Walking alone in the dark can be a scary experience.

^{Context #2 | Adjective}

easily frightened

Easily frightened; timid. Synonyms: timid, nervous, jumpy. Some people are naturally more scary than others due to their timid nature.

Synonyms

jumpy, nervous, timid.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
scary	Used to describe something that causes fear or is frightening. Often applied to movies, stories, or situations that provoke dread. That movie was really scary; I couldn't sleep afterward. It's a bit scary walking through the forest at night.
timid	Used to describe someone who is shy or lacking in confidence. Often refers to a personal trait rather than a temporary state. The timid child hid behind his mother's legs. He is too timid to ask questions in class.
nervous	Used to describe someone who is anxious or uneasy about something that may happen. Can be a long-term feeling or related to a specific event. She felt nervous before giving her first big presentation. I'm always nervous before a job interview.
jumpy	Used to describe someone who is easily startled or quick to react with fear or nervousness. Often describes a temporary state. After watching the horror movie, she was quite jumpy all evening. He's been jumpy ever since he heard the strange noises downstairs.

Examples of usage

The scary cat ran away as soon as it heard a loud noise.
She is so scary that even a small spider scares her.

^{Context #3 | Adjective}

causing unease or concern

Causing unease or concern; unsettling. Synonyms: unsettling, disconcerting, unnerving. The uncertainty of the future can be a scary thought for many people.

Synonyms

disconcerting, unnerving, unsettling.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
scary	Used to describe something that causes fear or fright, often in a general or exaggerated sense. The haunted house was really scary That movie about ghosts is so scary!
unsettling	Used when something disturbs your peace of mind or makes you feel uneasy, not necessarily causing fear but rather a sense of discomfort. The news reports were unsettling It was unsettling to find the doors open when I got home
disconcerting	Used when something causes a feeling of confusion or discomfort, typically because it is unexpected or out of the ordinary. The sudden change in his behavior was disconcerting It was disconcerting to hear about the company's unexpected changes
unnerving	Used to describe something that makes someone feel nervous or a bit scared, creating a sense of unease. The dark, empty street was unnerving Her intense stare was unnerving to everyone in the room

Examples of usage

The strange noises coming from the attic were quite scary.
The idea of being alone in a haunted house is scary to most people.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word 'scary' comes from 'scare', which dates back to the 14th century and means to frighten.
Its usage as an adjective to describe something frightening began in the late 19th century.
It is often related to the Old Norse word 'skera', meaning to cut or divide, suggesting a sharp, sudden fear.

Cultural Significance

In many cultures, scary stories are told around campfires, promoting bonding and enjoyment through shared fear.
Celebrations like Halloween are centered around fear and horror, showcasing the cultural fascination with the scary.
The horror movie genre has its roots in Gothic literature, which often featured scary themes and characters.

Psychology

Feeling scared can trigger the body's 'fight or flight' response, preparing you to face danger or escape it.
Fear can serve as a protective mechanism, teaching us to avoid dangerous situations.
Experiencing fear in controlled settings, such as horror films, can be thrilling and enjoyable for many.

Literature

Scary tales like 'Frankenstein' or 'Dracula' explore deep psychological themes, often reflecting societal fears.
Fairy tales frequently incorporate scary elements to teach moral lessons or warn against certain behaviors.
The concept of 'fear' as a literary device is often used to create tension and engage readers.

Pop Culture

The popularity of scary movies like 'Halloween' and 'The Exorcist' has made fear a staple of entertainment today.
Haunted houses and horror mazes are popular attractions that aim to elicit scares and thrills for visitors.
Famous fictional characters like Freddy Krueger and Jason Voorhees have become icons, embodying the essence of scary in pop culture.

Translations

Translations of the word "scary" in other languages:

🇵🇹 assustador

🇮🇳 डरावना

🇩🇪 gruselig

🇮🇩 menakutkan

🇺🇦 страшний

🇵🇱 straszny

🇯🇵 怖い

🇫🇷 effrayant

🇪🇸 aterrador

🇹🇷 korkutucu

🇰🇷 무서운

🇸🇦 مخيف

🇨🇿 strašidelný

🇸🇰 strašidelný

🇨🇳 可怕的

🇸🇮 strašen

🇮🇸 hræðilegt

🇰🇿 қорқынышты

🇬🇪 საშიში

🇦🇿 çəkinç

🇲🇽 aterrador

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #15,123, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.

...
15120 whore
15121 stalked
15122 corona
15123 scary
15124 solidly
15125 rescind
15126 cursor
...