spooky

Everyday

1. Spooky means strange and a bit frightening, as if there might be ghosts. tree →
2. (informal) Spooky can mean strangely surprising, like an odd coincidence. tree →
3. (informal, of an animal) Easily frightened or nervous, as in a spooky horse. tree →

In the lessons

A favourite word for Halloween, ghost stories and dark places: it tells the reader to feel a shiver, often in a fun way. In everyday talk «that's spooky» is said about coincidences. Phrases: «spooky house», «spooky story», «spooky coincidence», «a bit spooky».

Examples

• The old house on the hill looks spooky at night. tree →
• We told spooky stories around the campfire. tree →
• Our classroom is decorated with spooky bats for Halloween. tree →
• It's spooky that we both drew the same picture! tree →
• The woods were spooky and silent. tree →
• The pony is spooky and jumps at plastic bags. tree →
• The spookiest part of the film was the creaking door. tree →

Note

Comes from «spook» (informal for ghost; also slang for a spy). Milder and more playful than «terrifying». Spelling: spookier, spookiest (y changes to i). The word «spook» is also an old offensive slur in the US in one sense, so use «spooky» and «spook» meaning ghost only.