horror

horror — noun

1. a very strong and unpleasant feeling of being frightened or shocked, usually bec

1.nounB1
Definition

a very strong and unpleasant feeling of being frightened or shocked, usually because something painful, dangerous, or deeply upsetting has happened or been seen

Example

The passengers watched in horror as the plane's engine caught fire.

in horror — common prepositional phrase after verbs of seeing or watching

Hari let out a cry of pure horror when he saw the injured dog.

Common collocations
  • in horror
  • with horror
  • cry of horror
  • scream of horror
  • horror of [something]
  • fill with horror
  • frozen in horror
Synonyms
  • terror

    an even stronger, more panicked form of fear; implies immediate danger

  • dread

    a deep fear of something that is expected to happen, rather than something already happening

  • fright

    a sudden, brief feeling of fear, less intense and lasting than horror

Antonyms
  • calm

    a state of peace without fear or shock

  • relief

    the feeling of comfort when a frightening situation ends

Grammar Patterns

horror + of + noun/gerund

in horror

a/the horror of something

Usage Note

Often used with prepositions like 'in' (froze in horror / watched in horror) or 'with' (filled with horror). The construction 'the horror of + noun/gerund' is also very common.

Common Mistakes

I felt a horror when I saw the spider.
I felt horror when I saw the spider.
This sense is uncountable; do not use 'a horror' for the feeling.
She ran away with horror.
She ran away in horror.
The correct preposition is 'in' when describing an action done while feeling horror.

2. events, situations, or experiences that cause strong feelings of fear, shock, or

2.nounB1
Definition

events, situations, or experiences that cause strong feelings of fear, shock, or deep upset, especially when they involve violence, suffering, or disaster

Example

The documentary shows the horrors of war through the eyes of child survivors.

the horrors of [war/disaster] — common plural collocation

Indra cannot bring herself to watch news reports about the horrors of the famine.

Common collocations
  • the horrors of [war/famine/disease]
  • face the horrors
  • survive the horrors
  • the true horrors
Synonyms
  • atrocity

    specifically refers to extremely cruel and violent acts, often in war, with a stronger moral judgment

  • nightmare

    a very unpleasant or frightening situation; more metaphorical and less formal

Grammar Patterns

the horrors of [war/disaster/disease]

Usage Note

Commonly used in the plural form 'horrors' to refer to a set of terrible experiences. The singular 'horror' can also refer to a specific shocking event, but 'the horrors of [theme]' is the dominant pattern.

Common Mistakes

He told me about horror of war.
He told me about the horrors of war.
Use 'the' and the plural form when referring to multiple terrible aspects of something.

3. stories, books, and films created to make the audience feel afraid, often involv

3.nounB1
Definition

stories, books, and films created to make the audience feel afraid, often involving ghosts, monsters, violence, or psychological suspense

Example

Isabela loves reading horror novels late at night with all the lights off.

The new horror film is set in an abandoned hotel high in the mountains.

Common collocations
  • horror film
  • horror movie
  • horror story
  • horror novel
  • horror genre
  • horror writer
  • psychological horror
Synonyms
  • horror fiction

    a more formal and specific term for the written genre

  • supernatural fiction

    broader genre that overlaps with horror but focuses on paranormal elements, not necessarily frightening

Antonyms
  • comedy

    a genre intended to amuse rather than frighten

  • romance

    a genre focused on love and relationships

Grammar Patterns

horror + noun (film/novel/story)

noun + horror (science fiction/horror)

Usage Note

Used as an uncountable noun for the genre as a whole. It also appears as an attributive noun before other nouns: horror film, horror writer, horror fiction. This is different from the adjective sense (see adjective entry).

Common Mistakes

I like horrors.' (when meaning the genre)
I like horror.' or 'I like horror films.
The genre is uncountable; 'horrors' as a countable noun means terrible experiences, not genre works.

4. a young person whose behaviour is so difficult or naughty that they cause consta

4.nounB2
Definition

a young person whose behaviour is so difficult or naughty that they cause constant problems for the adults around them

Example

Their youngest son is a real horror — he never listens to anything anyone says.

a real horror — informal fixed expression (British English)

The teacher called the class a bunch of little horrors who run wild every break.

Common collocations
  • a little horror
  • a real horror
  • a proper horror
  • little horrors (plural)
Synonyms
  • brat

    more widely understood across English varieties; slightly less strong than 'horror' in British English

  • menace

    can be used for both children and adults; implies causing deliberate trouble

Antonyms
  • angel

    used informally for a very well-behaved child

Grammar Patterns

a/the + horror

Usage Note

Informal British English only. Usually preceded by 'a' or 'the' and modified by adjectives like 'little' or 'real'. Not used in American English. For a broadly understood equivalent, use 'brat' or 'menace'.

Common Mistakes

She is a horror.' (meaning a badly-behaved adult)
She is a horror.' (only works for children in British English)
Using this for adults sounds strange or awkward.
Idioms

horror of horrors

idiom

used humorously to say that something is the worst or most shocking thing that could happen, often about something not actually serious

The restaurant had run out of dessert — horror of horrors — so we had to share a single slice of cake.

shock horror

idiom

used humorously to pretend to be shocked or surprised by something that is actually not surprising at all

Shock horror — the Wi-Fi went down just as Ramón was about to send his email.

horror — adjective

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

All four words describe unpleasant emotional responses to danger or threat, but they differ in intensity and focus. 'Fear' (B1) is the broadest and most neutral term — a feeling of being afraid that can range from mild to strong. 'Horror' (B1) adds a layer of shock and disgust; it is the reaction to something deeply disturbing rather than merely dangerous. 'Terror' (B2) is a much more intense, paralysing fear in the face of immediate threat — you feel terror when something is about to harm you. 'Dread' (B2) is fear of something that has not yet happened but is expected; it is anticipatory and often accompanied by a sense of helplessness. 'Panic' (B2) is a sudden, uncontrollable fear that makes people act irrationally — it describes the behavioural response more than the feeling itself. For example: you feel fear before a job interview; you feel horror when you see the aftermath of a car crash; you feel terror when a robber points a gun at you; you feel dread the night before a difficult exam; and you feel panic when you cannot find your passport at the airport.

fear ↗terror ↗dread ↗panic ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • in horror
  • with horror
  • to one's horror
  • the horror of

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

The word 'horror' comes from Latin 'horror', meaning 'a shaking, trembling, or dread', which in turn comes from the Latin verb 'horrēre', meaning 'to bristle, stand on end, or shudder'. The original image is of hair standing on end — a physical reaction to fear. The word entered English through Old French 'horror' in the 14th century, and its meaning shifted from the physical sensation of shuddering to the internal feeling of intense fear or shock. The use as a genre label (horror fiction) dates from the early 20th century.