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

Naomi Honig stars in scary short about three friends playing the dangerous Knock Knock Game. —Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 3 Feb. 2026

Hayman recalls one regular who always comes dressed as a scary-looking clown. —Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Feb. 2026

If that version of Ziebell has arrived at the college level, that’s a scary thought for the rest of the Big East and the rest of the country. —Sabreena Merchant, New York Times, 2 Feb. 2026

Hollywood’s first blockbuster movie was celebrating half a century of cinematic excellence, so Spielberg and company reunited for the milestone to share the origin story of one of the scariest — and most production-challenged — films ever made. —Ilana Gordon, Entertainment Weekly, 1 Feb. 2026

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