bloodcurdling

American  

[bluhd-kurd-ling, -kur-dl-ing] / ˈblʌdˌkɜrd lɪŋ, -ˌkɜr dl ɪŋ /

adjective

1. arousing terror; horrifying.

   a bloodcurdling scream.

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bloodcurdling British  

/ ˈblʌdˌkɜːdlɪŋ /

adjective

1. terrifying; horrifying

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• bloodcurdlingly
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of bloodcurdling

First recorded in 1930–35; blood + curdle + -ing ²

Explanation

Anything bloodcurdling is extremely alarming or horrifying, like a sudden, piercing, bloodcurdling scream. This is a fanciful term for shocking things that feel like they're curdling your blood. Most often, you'll read or hear about a bloodcurdling scream, like an ear-piercing shriek. However, anything that fills you with horror can be described as bloodcurdling, like a terrible, bloodcurdling sight. Only terrible things are described as bloodcurdling, which means something similar to hair-raising and nightmarish. If something is only a little gross or disturbing, it's not quite bloodcurdling: this is a strong, visceral word.

Example Sentences

After six seasons, Peaky Blinders reached its bloodcurdling finish on TV in 2022 and had used the West Midlands backdrop for many locations, such as the Black Country Living Museum in Dudley.

From BBC • Sep. 30, 2024

There’s entertaining — and even healthy — catharsis to be found in bloodcurdling tales of zombies, vampires and vaguely supernatural Others.

From Washington Post • Apr. 22, 2023

Asked to recount the crash on the stand, Mr. Sanderson said he was skiing with “nothing in front of me” when he heard “a bloodcurdling scream” before he was knocked to the ground.

From New York Times • Mar. 30, 2023

Among Schank’s most memorable moments in “American Movie” was a bloodcurdling scream he recorded for “Coven.”

From Seattle Times • Oct. 17, 2022

The cuco turned toward the shadow, sniffed the air, and let out a bloodcurdling scream.

From "Witchlings" by Claribel A. Ortega