The meaning of FRIGHTFUL is causing intense fear or alarm : terrifying. How to use frightful in a sentence.

Definition of frightful adjective in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.

FRIGHTFUL meaning: 1. used to emphasize what you are saying, especially how bad something is: 2. used to emphasize…. Learn more.

FRIGHTFUL definition: such as to cause fright; dreadful, terrible, or alarming. See examples of frightful used in a sentence.

Define frightful. frightful synonyms, frightful pronunciation, frightful translation, English dictionary definition of frightful. adj. 1. Causing disgust or shock; horrifying.

Aug 25, 2025 · From Middle English frightful (“afraid”), from Old English forhtfull (“fainthearted, timorous”). Equivalent to fright +‎ -ful.

frightful, adj. meanings, etymology, pronunciation and more in the Oxford English Dictionary

Frightful definition: Causing disgust or shock; horrifying.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers:: frightful /ˈfraɪtfʊl/ adj very alarming, distressing, or horrifying unpleasant, annoying, or extreme: a frightful hurry ˈfrightfulness n 'frightful' …

Frightful is used to emphasize the extent or degree of something, usually something bad.