frightening
UK: ˈfraɪtənɪŋ | US: ˈfraɪtənɪŋ
adj. causing fear or alarm
v. (present participle of frighten) to make someone afraid
The word "frightening" derives from the verb frighten, which originated in Middle English as frightnen, a combination of the noun fright (Old English fyrhto, meaning "fear") and the verbal suffix -en. The root fright traces back to Proto-Germanic furhtiz, related to fear or terror. The addition of -ing forms the present participle, turning it into an adjective describing something that induces fear. The evolution reflects a logical progression from the concept of fear (fright) to the action of causing it (frighten) and finally to the descriptive state (frightening).
The sudden loud noise was frightening to the children.
She told a frightening story about ghosts in the old house.
The dark alley looked frightening at night.
His angry outburst was truly frightening.
The movie’s special effects made the scenes more frightening.