ENGLISH
REFERENCE

spooky

adj.
US //ˈspuki// UK //spˈuːki// spooky
  1. 1 eerie or ghostly (adj.)
    B1 Intermediate Informal

    strange and scary in a way that makes you think of ghosts or the supernatural.

    suggestive of ghosts or the supernatural; evoking a sense of eerie unease.

    Example

    The old house at the end of the street looks very spooky at night.

    Example

    The abandoned asylum had a spooky atmosphere that made the urban explorers feel as though they were being watched from the shadows.

  2. 2 skittish or nervous (adj.)
    C1 Advanced Informal Dialect

    easily scared or nervous, especially used for animals like horses.

    unpredictably excitable or skittish; prone to being easily startled.

    Example

    The horse became spooky when the loud motorcycle drove past the field.

    Example

    The trainer warned that the young mare was particularly spooky in high winds, often bolting at the slightest movement of the trees.

    Usage

    Commonly used in equestrian contexts to describe a horse's temperament.

Origin

From spook + -y.

© 2026 English Reference