eerie

Definition

Inspiring fear, especially in a mysterious or shadowy way; strange, weird.

Etymology

From Middle English eri (“fearful”), from Old English earg (“cowardly, fearful”), from Proto-West Germanic *arg, from Proto-Germanic *argaz. Akin to Scots ergh, argh from the same Old English source. Doublet of argh.

Example Sentences

• "The eerie sounds seemed to come from the graveyard after midnight."
• "An eerie feeling came over me."
• "Dan was beginning to feel very depressed when suddenly the eerie howl of a dingo rang out[.]"

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