scary

adjective

ˈsker-ē 

scarier; scariest

1

: causing fright : alarming

a scary story

2

: easily scared : timid

3

: feeling alarm or fright : frightened

scarily

ˈsker-ə-lē 

adverb

Synonyms

• terrifying
• frightening
• formidable
• horrible
• terrible
• intimidating

Examples of scary in a Sentence

a scary movie that gave the child nightmares for weeks afterwards

a scary horse who spooked and kicked at its own shadow

Recent Examples on the Web

No one seems to know, and that might be the scariest part. —Aaron Gleeman, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2025

Sophie Cunningham suffered a scary right knee injury that forced her to exit the Indiana Fever’s game against the Connecticut Sun on Sunday. —Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 17 Aug. 2025

After work stress triggered a scary incident, Kelly Benthall retired at 53 and now hopscotches around the world living in Airbnbs with her husband. —Rachel Chang, Travel + Leisure, 17 Aug. 2025

The Philadelphia Phillies got some scary news regarding their ace. —Anthony Stitt, Forbes.com, 16 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1582, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for scary

• aerie
• airy
• arie
• barre
• cherry
• clary
• dairy
• eyrie
• faerie
• faery
• fairy
• ferry

Kids Definition

scary

adjective

ˈske(ə)r-ē 

ˈska(ə)r-

scarier; scariest

1

: causing fright : alarming

a scary movie

2

: easily scared : timid

3

: feeling alarm or fright : scared, frightened

scary feeling

scarily

-ə-lē 

adverb