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horror
[ hawr-er, hor- ]
/ ˈhɔr ər, ˈhɒr- /
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This shows grade level based on the word's complexity.
Definition of horror
noun
adjective
inspiring or creating horror, loathing, aversion, etc.: The hostages told horror stories of their year in captivity.
centered upon or depicting terrifying or macabre events: a horror movie.
interjection
horrors, (used as a mild expression of dismay, surprise, disappointment, etc.)
OTHER WORDS FOR horror
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Origin of horror
First recorded in 1520–30; from Latin horror, equivalent to horr- (stem of horrēre “to bristle with fear”; see horrendous) + -or-or1; replacing Middle English orrour, from Anglo-French, from Latin horrōr-, stem of horror
synonym study for horror
1. See terror.
Words nearby horror
horrified, horrify, horrifying, horripilate, horripilation, horror, horrors, horror show, horror story, horror-struck, Horsa
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022
How to use horror in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for horror
horror
/ (ˈhɒrə) /
noun
extreme fear; terror; dread
intense loathing; hatred
(often plural) a thing or person causing fear, loathing, etc
(modifier) having a frightening subject, esp a supernatural onea horror film
Word Origin for horror
C14: from Latin: a trembling with fear; compare hirsute
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Other Idioms and Phrases with horror
horror
see under throw up one's hands.
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.