Eerie

Pronunciation

• RP IPA: /ˈɪəri/
• US IPA: /ˈɪɹi/Rhymes: -ɪəri

Alternative forms

• eery

Origin

From Middle English eri ("fearful"), from Old English earg ("cowardly, fearful"). Akin to Scots ergh, argh from the same Old English source.

Full definition of eerie

Adjective

1. strange, weird, fear-inspiring.The eerie sounds seemed to come from the graveyard after midnight.
2. (Scotland) fearful, timid.
• 1883, George MacDonald, Donal GrantShe began to feel eerie.

Synonyms

• creepy, spooky

Derived terms

• eerily (adverb)
• eeriness (noun)
• eerisome