frightful

[frahyt-fuhl]

adjective

1. such as to cause fright; dreadful, terrible, or alarming.

   A frightful howl woke us.

   Synonyms: awful, fearful
   Antonyms: delightful

2. horrible, shocking, or revolting.

   The storm did frightful damage.

   Synonyms: gruesome, ghastly, horrid, dread, hideous
   Antonyms: delightful

3. Informal.,  unpleasant; disagreeable.

   We had a frightful time.

4. Informal.,  very great; extreme.

   That actor is very talented but a frightful ham.

frightful

/ ˈfraɪtfʊl /

adjective

1. very alarming, distressing, or horrifying

2. unpleasant, annoying, or extreme

   a frightful hurry

Other Word Forms

• frightfully adverb
• frightfulness noun
• unfrightful adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of frightful¹

Middle English word dating back to 1200–50; fright, -ful

Example Sentences

“A half day would hardly be enough time to see the sights of London,” Penelope began to protest, but she was interrupted by a frightful noise, which seemed to have its origins rather close by.

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This is the eighth and final year Enea’s family of four will be remaking its Van Nuys property into a frightful, walk-through attraction that spooks thousands of visitors each Halloween.

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And will we ever sleep well in an area that has not seen the last of wildfires and frightful winds?

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But you don’t have to be obsessed with frightful fare to fit in.

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Barabak: This may sound Pollyannaish, but I think there’s nothing about these frightful times that can’t be remedied at the ballot box.

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Related Words

• awful 
• calamitous 
• dreadful 
• ghastly 
• hideous 
• horrible 
• lewd 
• shocking 
• terrible 
• terrific 
• unpleasant