Word Adjective
frightful
adj.
B2 Upper Intermediate US /ˈfɹaɪtfəɫ/ UK /fɹˈaɪtfəl/ fright·ful
Definition
adj.very bad, scary, or unpleasant. You use this to describe something that makes you feel a lot of fear or worry.
adj.causing or deserving great fear, alarm, or distress. Often used to describe extreme weather, dangerous situations, or intense emotional states.
Examples
“The storm was a frightful sight to see.”
“The accident was a frightful experience that left everyone in the car shaken for weeks.”
“The prospect of a global recession is a frightful thought for many families who have already struggled to make ends meet this year.”
Etymology
From Middle English frightful (“afraid”), from Old English forhtfull (“fainthearted, timorous”). Equivalent to fright + -ful.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
This entry
Origin Old English forhtfull
Level B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency Occasional
Updated