adj · verb · 5 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
Sound
Pronunciation
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/ˈfɹaɪtənɪŋ/
/ˈfɹaɪtnɪŋ/
UK:Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
rhymes with -aɪtnɪŋ
CMU ARPABET:F R AY1 T AH0 N IH0 NG
Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.
CMU ARPABET 2:F R AY1 T N IH0 NG
Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.
1
adj
Meaning 1
Causing fear; or capable of causing fear; scary.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Examples
Riding the rollercoaster was a frightening experience.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
2
adj
Meaning 2
Awful, terrible, very bad.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: figuratively
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
3
verb
Meaning 3
present participle and gerund of frighten
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: form-of, gerund, participle, present
Examples
The scientist was frightening the timid children.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
4
adjective satellite
Meaning 4
causing fear or dread or terror
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
the awful war
an awful risk
dire news
a career or vengeance so direful that London was shocked
the dread presence of the headmaster
polio is no longer the dreaded disease it once was
