horror

[ hawr-er, hor- ]

noun

1. an overwhelming and painful feeling caused by something frightfully shocking, terrifying, or revolting; a shuddering fear:

   to shrink back from a mutilated corpse in horror.

   Synonyms: consternation, dismay, dread

   Antonyms: serenity

2. anything that causes such a feeling:

   killing, looting, and other horrors of war.

3. such a feeling as a quality or condition:

   to have known the horror of slow starvation.

4. a strong aversion; abhorrence:

   to have a horror of emotional outbursts.

   Synonyms: abomination, hatred, detestation, antipathy, loathing

   Antonyms: attraction

5. Informal. something considered bad or tasteless:

   That wallpaper is a horror. The party was a horror.

6. horrors, Informal.
   1. delirium tremens.
   2. extreme depression.

adjective

1. inspiring or creating horror, loathing, aversion, etc.:

   The hostages told horror stories of their year in captivity.

2. centered upon or depicting terrifying or macabre events:

   a horror movie.

interjection

1. horrors, (used as a mild expression of dismay, surprise, disappointment, etc.)

horror

/ ˈhɒrə /

noun

1. extreme fear; terror; dread
2. intense loathing; hatred
3. often plural a thing or person causing fear, loathing, etc
4. modifier having a frightening subject, esp a supernatural one

   a horror film

Word History and Origins

Origin of horror¹

First recorded in 1520–30; from Latin horror, equivalent to horr- (stem of horrēre “to bristle with fear”; horrendous ) + -or -or ¹; replacing Middle English orrour, from Anglo-French, from Latin horrōr-, stem of horror

Word History and Origins

Origin of horror¹

C14: from Latin: a trembling with fear; compare hirsute

Idioms and Phrases

see under throw up one's hands .

Synonym Study

See terror.

Example Sentences

The McWaids watched in horror as flames jumped up the canyon and into their backyard, without warning.

From Los Angeles Times

"Passers-by heard screams of horror coming from the address," said Mr Bull.

From BBC

But horror is political, and the influence of various religious forces on contemporary American government — including but not limited to the Christian right — has been growing for many years.

From Los Angeles Times

Sophie Thatcher, Chloe East and a perversely charming Hugh Grant commit to a deftly acted, somewhat predictable horror movie set in a remote house with secrets.

From Los Angeles Times

All of which results in the women being forced into the inevitable basement/pit beloved of horror movies.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• apprehension
• awe
• consternation
• disgust
• dismay
• dread
• fear
• fright
• hatred
• panic
• revulsion
• terror