scary face

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "scary face" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe a face that looks frightening or intimidating, often in contexts like Halloween, horror stories, or when discussing emotions. An example could be: "The haunted house was filled with actors wearing scary faces." Alternative expressions include "frightening visage" and "terrifying countenance."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

47 human-written examples

"The scary face.

Independent

It's a scary face.

The New Yorker

He didn't have a scary face".

Independent

Photograph: Robert Cianflone/Getty Images And then gets his scary face on.

The Guardian - Sport

Maybe he can perform an amusing mime at the ceremony, where he leaps towards Jon Stewart with the statuette, pulling a scary face.

The Guardian - Opinion

After a few days in that beautiful mountain town with its captivating natural vistas, I encountered another, scary face of the city.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

13 human-written examples

And pumpkins with scary faces.

The New York Times

"They were making scary faces to play the caricature of themselves," he later explained.

The New Yorker

Slapping of thighs; scary faces, jumps, etc, etc. 1We're off!

The Guardian - Sport

They have scary faces and dark eyes and sometimes they levitate for no good reason.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

The Devil will most likely be there, making scary faces and laughing along with everyone else.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider more precise adjectives like "menacing" or "grotesque" if you want to specify the type of fear being evoked.

Common error

Avoid using "scary face" when you actually mean "scared face". A "scary face" is the one causing the fear (the monster), whereas a "scared face" is the one feeling the fear (the victim).

Linguistic Context

The phrase "scary face" primarily functions as a noun phrase. It consists of the descriptive adjective 'scary' modifying the common noun 'face'. According to Ludwig AI, it is most often used as a direct object (e.g., "making a "scary face"") or as part of a predicative expression.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Wiki

30%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Professional

3%

Science

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, "scary face" is a versatile and grammatically correct English phrase used to describe frightening expressions or objects. Ludwig AI shows that it appears frequently in both literal contexts, such as Halloween decorations and digital 'screamers', and metaphorical contexts, such as describing the negative aspects of an industry or city. While the phrase is standard, writers should be careful not to confuse it with its passive counterpart, "scared face", which describes the person experiencing fear. For more formal writing, substituting 'face' with terms like "visage" or "countenance" can provide a more polished and literary tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

frightening visage

Uses a more formal and literary term for face

terrifying countenance

High-register alternative suitable for descriptive literature

spooky expression

Suggests a milder or more supernatural type of fear

menacing glare

Focuses specifically on the intent and the eyes rather than general features

eerie look

Implies an unsettling or mysterious quality rather than overt terror

horrific mug

Colloquial term for face, often used to describe a particularly grotesque appearance

creepy features

Focuses on the individual parts of the face that cause discomfort

ghastly appearance

Suggests a death-like or pale frightfulness

daunting stare

Emphasizes the intimidating nature of how someone is looking

fearsome mask

Refers to a literal or metaphorical covering that hides the true self with terror

FAQs

How do I use "scary face" in a sentence?

You can use it as a direct object or subject, for example: "The actor pulled a "scary face" to frighten the audience" or "That pumpkin has a really "scary face"."

What is a more formal synonym for "scary face"?

A more formal or sophisticated alternative is "terrifying visage" or "frightening countenance".

Can "scary face" be used metaphorically?

Yes, it can describe the intimidating side of an abstract concept, such as "the "scary face" of global economics" or "the "scary face" of the city" as seen in some Ludwig examples.

Is it "scary face" or "scared face"?

It depends on who is doing the frightening. A "scary face" frightens others, while a ""scared face"" belongs to someone who is feeling afraid.