Cool MateFrightening vs Scary
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
| Frightening | Scary | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | causing fear or worry | Causing fear or fright. |
| CEFR level | B1 | A2 |
| Part of speech | adjective | adjective |
| Usage notes | Use 'frightening' to describe things that induce fear, especially in neutral contexts. Avoid using it in overly formal writing; 'alarming' may be more suitable there. | Used to describe something that induces fear. Suitable for general conversations about movies, stories, or experiences. Avoid using 'scary' in overly formal contexts. |
Frequently asked questions: Frightening vs Scary
What's the difference between "Frightening" and "Scary"?
"Frightening" means: causing fear or worry "Scary" means: Causing fear or fright.
When should I use "Frightening" and "Scary"?
They can all be used in everyday English.
Are "Frightening" and "Scary" the same CEFR level?
"Frightening" is at B1, "Scary" is at A2 on the CEFR scale.