Eerie
ˈɪəri
Definitions
Inspiring a feeling of fear, unease, or mystery.
ˈɪəri
Causing a feeling of mystery and fear
The abandoned amusement park had an eerie feeling to it.
💡 Simply: Imagine walking in a dark forest at night. If you hear a strange noise or see something you can’t explain, that feeling is 'eerie'—making you feel a bit scared and like something mysterious is going on.
👶 For kids: When something is eerie, it makes you feel a little bit scared and like something strange is happening.
More Examples
An eerie silence fell over the room when he entered.
The old photographs gave me an eerie sense of the past.
How It's Used
"The old house had an eerie silence."
"The author created an eerie atmosphere in the novel."
"The soundtrack provided an eerie effect to the movie."
Synonyms & Antonyms
Antonyms
From Scottish 'eery', meaning 'fearful, timorous', ultimately of uncertain origin, possibly related to Old English 'earh' ('cowardly, timid').
The word 'eerie' has been used for centuries to evoke a sense of dread or mystery, particularly in Scottish and English literature.
Memory tip
Think of 'ear' and 'fear' – something that makes your ears perk up because it’s unsettling.
Word Origin
"Fearful, timid"