Word
nightmarish
Phoneticsnight·mar·ish, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈnaɪtˌmɛɹɪʃ/
UK/nˈaɪtmeəɹɪʃ/
Definition
adj. extremely unpleasant, scary, or difficult to deal with. You use this to describe a situation that feels like a bad dream.
adj. extremely unpleasant, terrifying, or difficult to endure. Often used to describe real-world situations that evoke the sense of dread or horror associated with nightmares.
Examples
“The long flight was a nightmarish experience.”
“The family described the nightmarish journey through the flooded streets as the worst day of their lives.”
“The documentary provides a nightmarish look at the conditions inside the overcrowded refugee camps, highlighting the systemic failures of the international aid response.”
Examples
simple
“The long flight was a nightmarish experience.”
contextual
“The family described the nightmarish journey through the flooded streets as the worst day of their lives.”
complex
“The documentary provides a nightmarish look at the conditions inside the overcrowded refugee camps, highlighting the systemic failures of the international aid response.”
Real-World Examples
“Fifth last season was reasonable, but it must have felt nightmarish to Hibs fans as Hearts roared on and threatened to win the league.” “In another take, the field was easily replaced by a nightmarish underground cavern.” Etymology
From nightmare + -ish.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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