adj
eerie
EER-ree
adj
1
Strange and unsettling in a way that suggests something mysterious or supernatural.
"An eerie silence hung over the abandoned house."
"The fog gave the forest an eerie, otherworldly feel."
How to Use Eerie
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSpooky or unsettling in a quiet, mysterious way, rather than outright terrifying.
Common pairings
eerie silence
eerie glow
eerie feeling
Word Forms
eerier comparative, eeries plural, eeriest superlative
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An _____ silence hung over the abandoned house.
Etymology
From Middle English eri ("fearful"), ultimately from an Old English word meaning "cowardly" — the sense shifted over time from feeling afraid to being the kind of thing that inspires fear.