LookItUp

scary

Meaning in simple English, pronunciation and examples

Pronunciation: US /ˈskeri/ · UK /ˈskeəri/

Forms: scarier, scariest

scary means: Making you feel afraid or worried.

adjective

CAUSING FEARA2

Making you feel afraid or worried.

  • That was a scary noise.
  • We watched a scary film last night.
  • Walking home alone can be scary.

Similar words: frightening, frightful, terrifying

Opposites: reassuring

Common phrases: scary movie, scary story, scary experience, scary thought

STRANGELY STRIKINGC1

So surprising, accurate, or similar that it feels strange or hard to explain.

  • Their resemblance is scary.
  • She predicts results with scary accuracy.
  • It's scary how alike the twins sound on the phone.

How to use it: it is scary how… (It's scary how much you look like your father.)

Similar words: uncanny, striking, astonishing

Common phrases: scary resemblance, scary accuracy, scary how similar

Questions about scary

What does scary mean?

Making you feel afraid or worried.

What is scary in other languages?

Türkçe: korkutucu · Español: aterrador · Français: effrayant · Deutsch: gruselig · Italiano: spaventoso · 日本語: 怖い

How do you pronounce scary?

In American English /ˈskeri/; in British English /ˈskeəri/.

How do you use scary in a sentence?

That was a scary noise. We watched a scary film last night.

Learn scary while you read

LookItUp shows the meaning that fits your sentence, in your language, and turns new words into quick practice cards.

Coming soon on the App Store LookItUp app for iPhone and iPad

Phrases with scary

scary in other languages

More words