SCARY (scarier, scariest)

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

Irregular inflected forms: scarier    , scariest   

 Dictionary entry overview: What does scary mean? 

• SCARY (adjective)
  The adjective SCARY has 1 sense:

1. provoking fear terror

  Familiarity information: SCARY used as an adjective is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• SCARY (adjective)

Comparative: scarier   
Superlative: scariest   

Sense 1

Meaning:

Provoking fear terror

Synonyms:

chilling; scary; shivery; shuddery

Context example:

the most terrible and shuddery...tales of murder and revenge

Similar:

alarming (frightening because of an awareness of danger)

Derivation:

scare (a sudden attack of fear)

scare (sudden mass fear and anxiety over anticipated events)

 Context examples 

Having a pain in your chest can be scary.

(Chest Pain, NIH)

Going home with a new baby is exciting, but it can be scary, too.

(Infant and Newborn Care, NIH)

A professional who is responsible for making a child's hospital and treatment experience less scary.

(Child-life worker, NCI Dictionary)

Were there tense, scary moments from time to time?

(AstrologyZone.com, by Susan Miller)

One snake can be scary enough, but a new study suggests some of the slithering reptiles hunt for prey in groups.

(Snakes Hunt in Groups, Study Suggests, VOA)

If you recall, the moon landing brought some scary last minutes before actually touching down on the moon.

(AstrologyZone.com, by Susan Miller)