Spanish word

aterrador

Pronunciation

IPA/ateraˈðoɾ/

Meaning

  • adjectivescary

Example

Anoche oí un sonido aterrador.

Last night I heard a scary sound.

Illustration for aterrador (scary)

More examples

El sueño fue aterrador.

The dream was terrifying.

Core concept

An event or thing that inspires overwhelming fear or horror.

Common phrases

  • sonido aterrador

    terrifying sound

  • sueño aterrador

    terrifying dream

  • susto aterrador

    terrifying fright

Similar words

terrible: Evokes intense dread or a deeply unpleasant, alarming feeling.
espantoso: Startles suddenly and provokes an immediate frightened reaction.
espeluznante: Creates a creepy, hair-raising sense of eerie discomfort.
pavoroso: Inspires overwhelming terror that paralyzes or petrifies the person.

Definition in Spanish

Que causa una sensación de miedo fuerte o de horror difícil de soportar.

Word origin

Derived from the verb aterrar 'to terrify' with the -dor suffix that forms adjectives meaning 'causing', linked to Latin terrēre and the root of terror.

Usage tips

  • Because it appears often in news reports and horror reviews, applying aterrador to everyday worries sounds hyperbolic and speakers more naturally use da miedo or da un susto for lighter scares.

Other meanings

  • terrifyingadjective
  • chillingadjective

Opposites

  • tranquilizadorreassuringadjective
  • agradablepleasantadjective

Related words

  • aterrorizarterrifyverb
  • aterradoramenteterrifyinglyadverb
  • aterranteterrifyingadjective

Word lists with this word