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 of scary

• 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

Then there was a scary moment in the first quarter, as Heat forward Nikola Jovic took a hard fall just seconds after entering the game and was ruled out for the rest of the night. —Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 16 Dec. 2025

This year my oldest, Ava, is a high school senior, which has stirred up a big emphasis on trying to guide her through those first scary steps to starting her adult life. —Charlotte Observer, 15 Dec. 2025

The scariest moment was really the Las Vegas race. —Mia Galuppo, HollywoodReporter, 15 Dec. 2025

In this scary, divided moment, the appeal of that premise is understandable. —Jon Allsop, New Yorker, 13 Dec. 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