Spooky: meaning, definitions and examples

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spooky

[ˈspuːki ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Adjective}

Halloween decorations

eerie; ghostly; frightening

Synonyms

eerie, frightening, ghostly.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
spooky	Used to describe something that makes you feel scared in a playful or fun way. Commonly seen around Halloween or in situations that are meant to be thrilling but not seriously terrifying. The old house looked spooky with all its cobwebs and creaking doors
eerie	Used to describe something that makes you feel uneasy or uncomfortable, often because it is strange or mysterious. It is usually less playful and more serious than 'spooky'. The eerie silence in the abandoned building made me want to leave immediately
ghostly	Often used to describe something that reminds you of ghosts or spirits. It can be used to describe a pale appearance, a quiet or haunting atmosphere, or anything that resembles a ghost. A ghostly figure appeared in the fog, sending chills down my spine
frightening	Describes something that causes serious fear or terror. It is stronger and more serious than 'spooky' or 'eerie' and doesn't have a playful connotation. The loud thunderstorm was so frightening that the kids couldn't sleep

Examples of usage

The haunted house had a spooky atmosphere.
The spooky graveyard gave me chills.
The spooky costume scared the children away.

^{Context #2 | Adjective}

Scary movies

unsettling; creepy

Synonyms

creepy, unsettling.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
spooky	This word is often used to describe something that is eerily quiet, dark, and reminds you of ghosts or haunted places. It is commonly used around Halloween or in situations with a supernatural element. The abandoned house at the end of the street looks really spooky at night The movie had a spooky atmosphere that gave me chills
unsettling	This word is used to describe something that disturbs your mind or emotions, making you feel anxious or uncomfortable. It has a broader sense and can be used in various contexts where something doesn't feel right. The news about the incident was quite unsettling There was something unsettling about the way she smiled at me
creepy	This word describes something that makes you feel nervous or scared, often because it is unnerving or disturbing. It can refer to people, places, or situations that make you feel uneasy. There was a creepy guy staring at us from across the street The forest was dark and creepy, with strange noises all around

Word

Description / Examples

spooky

This word is often used to describe something that is eerily quiet, dark, and reminds you of ghosts or haunted places. It is commonly used around Halloween or in situations with a supernatural element.

The abandoned house at the end of the street looks really spooky at night
The movie had a spooky atmosphere that gave me chills

unsettling

This word is used to describe something that disturbs your mind or emotions, making you feel anxious or uncomfortable. It has a broader sense and can be used in various contexts where something doesn't feel right.

The news about the incident was quite unsettling
There was something unsettling about the way she smiled at me

creepy

This word describes something that makes you feel nervous or scared, often because it is unnerving or disturbing. It can refer to people, places, or situations that make you feel uneasy.

There was a creepy guy staring at us from across the street
The forest was dark and creepy, with strange noises all around

Examples of usage

The movie had a spooky twist at the end.
The spooky music added to the suspense.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word 'spooky' first appeared in the early 20th century and is believed to be derived from 'spook,' which means ghost.
It is often associated with a lighthearted fun, distinguishing it from more intense frightening themes.

Pop Culture

Movies like 'Ghostbusters' and 'Beetlejuice' blend comedy with spooky themes, making them family favorites.
The Halloween season embraces everything spooky, with decorations, costumes, and stories designed to thrill and chill.

Psychology

The feeling of something being spooky can trigger a mix of fear and excitement, which is often explored in horror films.
Spooky experiences can engage the fight-or-flight response in the brain, making the heart race and increasing adrenaline.

Literature

Classic literature often uses spooky elements, like Edgar Allan Poe's tales which delve into themes of death and the macabre.
Many children's stories incorporate spooky themes to teach lessons about bravery and overcoming fear.

Traditions

Different cultures celebrate with spooky themes, such as the Mexican 'Día de los Muertos' where spirits are honored in a festive manner.
Ghost stories are a common tradition during Halloween, where people share spooky tales to entertain and frighten one another.

Translations

Translations of the word "spooky" in other languages:

🇵🇹 assustador

🇮🇳 डरावना

🇩🇪 gruselig

🇮🇩 menyeramkan

🇺🇦 моторошний

🇵🇱 straszny

🇯🇵 不気味な

🇫🇷 effrayant

🇪🇸 espeluznante

🇹🇷 ürkütücü

🇰🇷 으스스한

🇸🇦 مخيف

🇨🇿 strašidelný

🇸🇰 strašidelný

🇨🇳 可怕的

🇸🇮 strašljiv

🇮🇸 hræðilegt

🇰🇿 қорқынышты

🇬🇪 საშიში

🇦🇿 qorxulu

🇲🇽 espeluznante

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #28,229, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.

...
28226 overdo
28227 zooming
28228 nightmarish
28229 spooky
28230 retracing
28231 predated
28232 crier
...