# terrifying

/ˈtɛɹəˌfaɪɪŋ/ (US) · /tˈɛɹɪfˌaɪɪŋ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/terrifying
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. extremely frightening

adjective · CEFR B2

making you feel very scared or full of fear.

For teachers: causing extreme fear, dread, or alarm.

- The loud noise in the middle of the night was terrifying.
- The climbers faced a terrifying descent as the storm clouds gathered and visibility dropped to near zero.

## Examples

- The loud thunder was terrifying for the young children.
- Driving through the mountain pass during the blizzard was a terrifying experience for the whole family.
- The documentary provides a terrifying glimpse into the potential consequences of unchecked climate change on coastal civilizations.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.