English Reference
adjective

horrifying

adj.
US /ˈhɔɹəˌfaɪɪŋ/ UK /hˈɒɹɪfˌaɪɪŋ/ hor·ri·fy·ing

  1. 01 B2 Upper Intermediate

    causing a feeling of great shock, fear, or disgust.

    tending to inspire horror or intense shock; often used to describe events, news, or visual scenes that are deeply disturbing.

    Simple

    The news reported a horrifying accident on the motorway this morning.

    In context

    Witnesses provided horrifying accounts of the building's collapse, describing the panic that ensued as the structure began to groan and tilt.

    Pitfall
    I was horrifying when I saw the accident. I was horrified when I saw the accident.

    Use 'horrifying' to describe the thing that causes the feeling, and 'horrified' to describe the person who feels it.

This entry
Level B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency Frequent
Updated