The word "terrifying" is spelled with a double "r" and "f" due to its etymology. The root word "terror" comes from the Latin word "terrere" which means "to frighten, to terrify". The letter "r" is duplicated as it connects the root word and the suffix "-ify" which means "to make or become". The letter "f" helps to preserve the Latin root spelling, as it follows the Latin spelling of "terrere", and represents the sound of "v" in Latin. The IPA transcription of "terrifying" is /ˈterəfaɪɪŋ/.
Terrifying is an adjective that describes something as causing extreme fear, great terror, or intense fright. It is used to convey the intense emotional response that arises from a particularly frightening or horrifying situation or experience. This word emphasizes the ability of something to instill profound fear and dread in individuals, often leaving them feeling paralyzed or helpless.
When something is described as terrifying, it implies that it surpasses the basic levels of fear and enters into a realm of overwhelming terror and horror. This word is typically employed to depict situations, events, phenomena, or individuals that elicit a strong and adverse emotional reaction, invoking a deep sense of unease or dread.
Terrifying can refer to a wide range of contexts, such as horror movies, thrilling roller coaster rides, supernatural encounters, dangerous animals, or traumatic experiences. It conveys the sentiment that the subject is truly alarming and potentially capable of causing harm or danger.
The word terrifying is highly subjective, as what may be terrifying to one person might not be to another. Different individuals have varying thresholds for fear and may react differently to similar situations. Nonetheless, the term remains an effective descriptor for extreme fear-inducing experiences, capturing the essence of the distress and extreme anxiety provoked by such instances.
Filling with fear or dread; frightening.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word terrifying is derived from the verb terrify, which originated from the Latin word terrere meaning to frighten. The suffix -ify is added to the verb terrify to form the adjective terrifying, meaning causing intense fear or terror.