¹horror

noun hor·ror \ˈhȯr-ər, ˈhär-\

: a very strong feeling of fear, dread, and shock

: the quality of something that causes feelings of fear, dread, and shock : the horrible or shocking quality or character of something

: something that causes feelings of fear, dread, and shock : something that is shocking and horrible

Full Definition of HORROR

a : painful and intense fear, dread, or dismay <astonishment giving place to horror on the faces of the people about me — H. G. Wells>

b : intense aversion or repugnance

a : the quality of inspiring horror : repulsive, horrible, or dismal quality or character <contemplating the horror of their lives — Liam O'Flaherty>

b : something that inspires horror

plural : a state of extreme depression or apprehension

See horror defined for English-language learners

See horror defined for kids

Origin of HORROR

Middle English horrour, from Anglo-French *orur, from Latin horror action of bristling, from horrēre to bristle, shiver; akin to Sanskrit harṣate he is excited

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to HORROR

Synonyms: atrociousness, atrocity, awfulness, dreadfulness, frightfulness, ghastliness, grisliness, gruesomeness, hideousness, horridness, monstrosity, repulsiveness

Antonyms: heaven, paradise

Rhymes with HORROR

borer, corer, floorer, pourer, roarer, scorer, schnorrer, snorer, soarer

²horror

adjective

: intended to cause feelings of fear or horror

Full Definition of HORROR

: calculated to inspire feelings of dread or horror : bloodcurdling <a horror movie>

See horror defined for English-language learners

First Known Use of HORROR

1936

HORROR Defined for Kids

horror

noun hor·ror \ˈhȯr-ər\

Definition of HORROR for Kids

: great fear, dread, or shock <All the children stared in horror at Pippi, and the teacher explained that one couldn't answer that way at school. — Astrid Lindgren, Pippi Longstocking>

: a quality or thing that causes horror <They witnessed the horror of war.>

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