Word adjective
terrifying
adj.
US /ˈtɛɹəˌfaɪɪŋ/ UK /tˈɛɹɪfˌaɪɪŋ/ ter·ri·fy·ing
Definition
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
making you feel very scared or full of fear.
causing extreme fear, dread, or alarm.
Simple“The loud noise in the middle of the night was terrifying.”
In context“The climbers faced a terrifying descent as the storm clouds gathered and visibility dropped to near zero.”
PitfallI was very terrifying when I saw the snake. I was very terrified when I saw the snake.Use 'terrifying' to describe the thing that causes fear, and 'terrified' to describe how a person feels.
SynonymsAntonyms
Real-world usage
“The detectives suspect a more material and dangerous adversary behind the scenes, with access to a terrifying weapon.”
“When Caiden and Sam help Caiden’s dad clear a creepy house, they don’t realise they’ve brought back a terrifying uninvited guest.”
This entry
Level B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency Frequent
Updated