terrifying
/ˈtɛɹɪfaɪ.ɪŋ/
Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.
Sense 1
Meaning · English
Frightening or intimidating.
Adjective
Examples
terrifying creature
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).
Sense 2
Meaning · English
Of a formidable nature; terrific.
Adjective
Examples
Penguin colonies that number in millions; nights that run into days, and days that run into nights; katabatic winds that scream down the ice sheets at a terrifying 180 miles per hour, and then remain equally terrifyingly still.
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “terrifying” mean?
Frightening or intimidating.
Is “terrifying” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.