French word

terrifiant

Pronunciation

IPA/tɛʁifjɑ̃/

Meaning

  • adjectivescary

Example

Sa voix est terrifiante.

Her voice is scary.

Illustration for terrifiant (scary)

More examples

La scène était terrifiante.

The scene was terrifying.

Core concept

A frightening presence that makes the body tense and the mind expect danger.

Common phrases

  • une scène terrifiante

    a terrifying scene

  • un rêve terrifiant

    a terrifying dream

  • un moment terrifiant

    a terrifying moment

Similar words

effrayant: Causing strong fear or alarm.
horrible: Causing an intense feeling of fear.
affreux: Causing extreme fear and dread.
épouvantable: So horrifying that it inspires overwhelming fear.

Definition in French

Qui provoque une peur intense ou une angoisse aiguë.

Word origin

French formed terrifiant from terrifier, whose ultimate source is Latin terrēre, 'to frighten', combined with the verb-forming suffix -ifier.

Usage tips

  • English terrific is generally positive, but terrifiant is strongly negative and describes something that causes intense fear.

Opposites

  • réconfortantcomfortingadjective
  • inoffensifharmlessadjective

Related words

Word lists with this word