WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026
hor•ri•fy /ˈhɔrəˌfaɪ, ˈhɑr-/USA pronunciation
v. [~ + object], -fied, -fy•ing.
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026- to cause to feel horror;
to distress greatly;
shock:The accident horrified the onlookers.
hor•ri•fy
(hôr′ə fī′, hor′-),USA pronunciation v.t., -fied, -fy•ing.
hor′ri•fi•ca′tion, n.
hor′ri•fy′ing•ly, adv.
- to cause to feel horror;
strike with horror:The accident horrified us all. - to distress greatly;
shock or dismay:She was horrified by the price of the house.
- Latin horrificāre to cause horror, equivalent. to horri- (combining form of horrēre to bristle with fear; see horrendous) + -ficāre -fy
- 1785–95
hor′ri•fy′ing•ly, adv.
- frighten, terrify; repel, appall.