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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
frightful
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The word "frightful" is correct and usable in written English.
It is an adjective that means causing fear or terror. Example: The haunted house was filled with frightful tales and eerie decorations.
✓ Grammatically correct
News & Media
Encyclopedias
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
60 human-written examples
Natural scientists (physicists, chemists, biologists) have had frightful power, and not always used it well.
News & Media
Pictures, documents and household objects from the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries portray Africa and the Orient as both frightful and fascinating.
News & Media
But the virus is devastating for the region nonetheless.The frightful nature of the disease, which can cause vomiting, diarrhoea and uncontrollable bleeding, and the lack of a cure have led to panic and fear.
News & Media
In 1887, as part of a drive to have rape treated more seriously, America's Christian Temperance Union cited the "frightful indignities to which even little girls are subject".
News & Media
Indeed, in the run-up to last year's election the Conservatives provoked a frightful row when they exploited such fears by portraying Gordon Brown's suggestion that long-term care could be paid for from the estates of wealthy recipients as a "death tax".
News & Media
She had had it remade so completely that she became not a cat as she wanted but a bogey, a frightful object-lesson, repeated in column after column, about beauty and its evil twin, vanity.Beauty is an engrossing, if troubling, subject.
News & Media
I have on occasion (whisper it) been one of those frightful people that holds up the queue for a minute or two while I stack my luggage and rummage through my pockets for my boarding pass; as if the need to present it at security had come as a complete surprise.
News & Media
Absolutely frightful Chips with everything The fireman's lot is quite a happy one Evidence on tap Ticks in the wrong box ReprintsOn one big question where Mr Blair takes a tough line internationally, that of cutting the use of fossil fuels, the government is nowhere near reaching its own target.
News & Media
But whether the present younger generation is really any nearer to that frightful end than any previous one, is a question that we, of the present older generation, are scarcely qualified to answer.
News & Media
Absolutely frightful Chips with everything The fireman's lot is quite a happy one Evidence on tap Ticks in the wrong box ReprintsSome of this can be put down to corporate rivalry.
News & Media
All the other changes that have resulted from his government shuffle in the royally appointed proto-parliament known as the Shura Council, in the armed forces, in the courts, at the central bank, among the clergy, even in the frightful religious police have been for the good (see article).
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
Use "frightful" to vividly describe something causing significant fear or something extremely unpleasant; consider the intensity you wish to convey and choose synonyms accordingly.
Common error
Avoid using "frightful" in very casual conversations; it can sound overly dramatic or old-fashioned. Opt for more common words like "bad" or "terrible" in everyday settings.
Source & Trust
84%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
Frightful functions primarily as an adjective, modifying nouns to describe something that causes fear, alarm, or is extremely unpleasant. As noted by Ludwig AI, it's a valid and frequently used term in English.
Frequent in
News & Media
44%
Encyclopedias
13%
Formal & Business
1%
Less common in
Science
20%
Social Media
0%
Wiki
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, the adjective "frightful" is a grammatically sound and frequently used term to describe something causing fear, alarm, or extreme unpleasantness. As highlighted by Ludwig AI, it's a valid and correct word. Its usage spans various contexts, but it's particularly common in news, media, and encyclopedic sources. While generally acceptable, "frightful" is more formal than its everyday synonyms, suggesting careful consideration of context and desired tone. To avoid sounding overly dramatic, reserve "frightful" for situations needing more emphasis than "bad" or "terrible" would convey.
More alternative expressions(6)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
frightening
Directly relates to causing fear or alarm.
horrifying
Focuses specifically on causing intense horror or fear.
dreadful
Emphasizes the causing of great fear or suffering.
terrible
Highlights the severe or extreme nature of something negative.
awful
Stresses the unpleasant or poor quality of something.
appalling
Implies something shocking or outrageous.
atrocious
Highlights the extreme wickedness or cruelty of something.
horrific
Similar to horrifying but can sometimes imply a more visual sense of horror.
gruesome
Focuses on the repulsively horrifying and bloody nature of something.
shocking
Implies causing surprise and often disapproval.
FAQs
How can I use "frightful" in a sentence?
"Frightful" is an adjective, so use it to describe a noun. For example, "The storm was a frightful experience" or "The food tasted frightful".
What words are similar to "frightful"?
Synonyms for "frightful" include "horrifying", "dreadful", "terrible", and "awful".
Is it better to say "frightful" or "frightening"?
Both "frightful" and "frightening" describe something that causes fear, but "frightful" can also mean extremely unpleasant. "Frightening" /s/frightening focuses specifically on causing fear.
When is it appropriate to use the word "frightful"?
Use "frightful" when you want to describe something that is either genuinely horrific and alarming or extremely unpleasant. It often carries a slightly more formal or literary tone.
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
84%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested