frightening
An experience or situation that's frightening can make your heart skip a beat and leave you feeling scared.
When we talk about something being frightening, it usually means it's got the power to shock or terrify us. Think of watching a really intense horror movie - the plot twists and creepy scenes might be so frightening they'll keep you up at night. Or imagine facing your deepest fear, like public speaking: standing in front of a crowd can be terrifying for many people. Even everyday things like riding a rollercoaster or seeing a wild animal close-up can be frightening if we're not used to it.
How common is "frightening"?
Word frightening is considered uncommon in modern English.
It has a balanced usage among all categories: speech, fiction, newspapers and academic texts.
It has a balanced usage among all categories: speech, fiction, newspapers and academic texts.
Definitions
adjective
Causing fear; or capable of causing fear; scary.
Example: Riding the rollercoaster was a frightening experience.
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Real examples of "frightening" in context
