English Dictionary

Definition of “eerie

eerie (ˈɪərɪPronunciation for eerie

Definitions

adjective

Word forms: eerier, eeriest
  1. (esp of places, an atmosphere, etc) mysteriously or uncannily frightening or disturbing; weird; ghostly

Alternative Forms

ˈeerily adverb ˈeeriness noun

Word Origin

C13: originally Scottish and Northern English, probably from Old English earg cowardly, miserable

Usage examples

  • Behind, a thick pall of eerie black smoke like that of a gigantic forest fire, drifted slowly towards the mountain peak.
    Forrest, Roberta, When the Apricots Bloom (1988)
  • Meet the octopus that swapped its sturdy grip for an eerie glow
    New Scientist (1999)
  • Then with eerie normalcy, she instructs the girls to "put your clothes on, the lot of you.
    Globe and Mail (2003)
  • A close supporter said at the time: "The lack of criticism of her is almost eerie.
    Belfast Telegraph (2005)
  • Some people rub beads together as they chant, making an eerie rattling sound.
    Montgomery, Daniel B, Fire in the Lotus - the dynamic Buddhism of Nichiren (1991)

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