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Definition of scary

scary

/ˈskɛr.i/
scar · y
Adverb:scarily
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scary Lexical Profile

scary Game Scores & Validity

• adjective

1

Causing fear, alarm, or fright; frightening.

Example

"The children huddled under the blankets while watching a scary movie about a haunted house."

2

Strikingly impressive, extreme, or formidable in degree or scale (informal).

Example

"Her ability to memorize complex musical scores after a single glance is almost scary."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• Rhymes for scary

• Nearby Words

scarred
scarring
scarved
scary
scat
scathing
scathingly

Word Origin & Etymology

First recorded in the late 16th century, formed from the verb 'scare' (from Old Norse 'skirra', meaning 'to frighten or shrink from') plus the adjectival suffix '-y'.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Scary. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/scary
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