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Frightful Definition & Meaning

frightful
adjective
  1. provoking horror; "an atrocious automobile accident"; "a frightful crime of decapitation"; "an alarming, even horrifying, picture"; "war is beyond all words horrible"- Winston Churchill; "an ugly wound"
  2. extreme in degree or extent or amount or impact; "in a frightful hurry"; "spent a frightful amount of money"
  3. extremely distressing; "fearful slum conditions"; "a frightful mistake"

"Frightful" in song lyrics

See how frightful is used in real songs:

  • "But my high school was frightful"
    Jesse Abraham — Play On

Usage tips for "frightful"

Understanding the precise definition of a word helps you use it with confidence. When using "frightful" in your writing, consider whether you need the word itself or one of its synonyms — subtle differences in meaning can change the tone of a sentence. If you're writing poetry or song lyrics, check the rhymes for frightful to find words that pair well.

Use "frightful" in a verse

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Frequently asked questions

What does frightful mean?
provoking horror; "an atrocious automobile accident"; "a frightful crime of decapitation"; "an alarming, even horrifying, picture"; "war is beyond all words horrible"- Winston Churchill; "an ugly wound" extreme in degree or extent or amount or impact; "in a frightful hurry"; "spent a frightful amount of money" extremely distressing; "fearful slum conditions"; "a frightful mistake"
What part of speech is frightful?
Frightful is an adjective.
How many definitions does frightful have?
Frightful has 3 definitions across 1 part of speech (adjective).

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