horror

[ hawr-er, hor- ]
/ ˈhɔr ər, ˈhɒr- /

noun

adjective

inspiring or creating horror, loathing, aversion, etc.: The hostages told horror stories of their year in captivity.
centered upon or depicting terrifying or macabre events: a horror movie.

interjection

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

Origin of horror

1520–30; < Latin horror, equivalent to horr- (stem of horrēre to bristle with fear; see horrendous) + -or -or1; replacing Middle English orrour < Anglo-French < Latin horrōr-, stem of horror

SYNONYMS FOR horror

4 loathing, antipathy, detestation, hatred, abomination.

Example sentences from the Web for horrors

British Dictionary definitions for horrors (1 of 2)

horrors
/ (ˈhɒrəz) /

pl n

slang a fit of depression or anxiety
informal See delirium tremens

interjection

an expression of dismay, sometimes facetious

British Dictionary definitions for horrors (2 of 2)

horror
/ (ˈhɒrə) /

noun

extreme fear; terror; dread
intense loathing; hatred
(often plural) a thing or person causing fear, loathing, etc
(modifier) having a frightening subject, esp a supernatural one a horror film

Word Origin for horror

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

Idioms and Phrases with horrors

horror

see under throw up one's hands.