fearsome
gb/fˈɪɹsəm/ us/fˈɪɹsəm/
B2
English
ijesztő, félelmetes, iszonyú
B2
1
ijesztő
B1
félelmetes
B2
Usage pattern:
a fearsome [creature/person/thing]
The cave was guarded by a fearsome creature in the old story.
A régi történetben a barlangot egy ijesztő lény őrizte.
From a distance, the ship looked fearsome in the fog.
Távolról a hajó ijesztőnek látszott a ködben.
He tried to sound fearsome, but everyone could tell he was joking.
Learner examples
The dog looked fearsome.
A kutya ijesztőnek tűnt.
That sound is fearsome at night.
Az a hang éjszaka ijesztő.
Common mistake:
Do not confuse with fearful (feeling afraid). Fearsome means causing fear.
Meaning
frightening; causing fear
Collocations
fearsome creature
|fearsome monster
|fearsome animal
|fearsome sight
|fearsome noise
|fearsome appearance
|fearsome threat
|fearsome weapon
|fearsome storm
|fearsome legend
Synonyms
frightening (More general and common; less dramatic.)
|
terrifying (Stronger; emphasizes extreme fear.)
|
scary (More informal; often less intense.)
Antonyms
harmless (Not likely to cause harm or fear.)
|
reassuring (Makes you feel calm rather than afraid.)
Themes
emotions
|danger
Definition
Something fearsome makes you feel afraid.
Causing people to feel fear; frightening.
C1
2
félelmetes
B2
Usage pattern:
a fearsome [opponent/rival/team/reputation]
They have a fearsome defense this season.
Ebben a szezonban félelmetes a védelmük.
She developed a fearsome reputation for negotiating tough deals.
Félelmetes hírnevet szerzett azzal, hogy kemény üzleteket tárgyalt le.
The champion was a fearsome opponent in the final.
Learner examples
Our team is fearsome now.
A csapatunk most félelmetes.
He is a fearsome competitor.
Ő félelmetes ellenfél.
Common mistake:
Fearsome often means 'hard to face' (a fearsome opponent), not only 'scary-looking'.
Meaning
very strong or formidable
Collocations
fearsome opponent
|fearsome rival
|fearsome team
|fearsome competitor
|fearsome fighter
|fearsome reputation
|fearsome defender
|fearsome attack
|fearsome challenge
|fearsome force
Synonyms
formidable (Focuses on being difficult to deal with; often more formal.)
|
powerful (Emphasizes strength; not necessarily scary.)
|
intimidating (Emphasizes the effect on others (making them nervous).)
Antonyms
weak (Lacking strength or power.)
|
easy (Not difficult to face or defeat.)
Themes
sports
|conflict
|power
Definition
Very strong or difficult to beat.
Very strong, powerful, or skilled in a way that makes others cautious or afraid to challenge it.
C1
INFORMAL
3
iszonyú
B2
Usage pattern:
a fearsome [amount/mess/time/headache]
They made a fearsome mess of the kitchen after the party.
A buli után iszonyú rendetlenséget hagytak a konyhában.
We had a fearsome long walk back in the rain.
Iszonyú hosszú utat kellett visszafelé megtennünk az esőben.
He spent a fearsome amount of money on repairs.
Learner examples
It was a fearsome mess.
Iszonyú rendetlenség volt.
Common mistake:
This use is not common in all regions; in general English, prefer huge, terrible, or awful.
Meaning
very great; extreme (dialectal)
Collocations
a fearsome amount
|a fearsome mess
|a fearsome headache
|a fearsome time
|fearsome weather
Synonyms
huge (Common neutral choice for size or amount.)
|
awful (Common for very bad experiences; more general.)
|
terrible (Standard choice for severity; less regional.)
Antonyms
slight (Small in amount or degree.)
|
mild (Not severe or extreme.)
Themes
intensifiers
Definition
Very big or very bad (in some English).
Used in some varieties of English to mean very great, severe, or extreme in degree.
Grammar
Dictionary form
fearsome
IPA
GB/fˈɪɹsəm/
US/fˈɪɹsəm/
Syllables & stress
fear - some (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (fear)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: fearsome
Word family
Expressions
fearsome critters
1/fˈɪɹsəm kɹˈɪtɚz/
fixed phrase
literary
mythical beasts of folklore
Funny folk stories about made-up wild animals.
Examples
- The old guidebook describes fearsome critters that supposedly lived in the woods.
- Campfire tales about fearsome critters kept the kids entertained.
fearsome foursome
1/fˈɪɹsəm fˈɔɹsəm/
fixed phrase
powerful group of four
A very strong group of four.
Examples
- The coach relied on a fearsome foursome of veteran players.
- Their fearsome foursome dominated the tournament from start to finish.
Learner examples
- They are the fearsome foursome.
fearsome twosome
1/fˈɪɹsəm tˈusəm/
fixed phrase
powerful pair
A very strong pair.
Examples
- In midfield, they formed a fearsome twosome that controlled the game.
- The detectives made a fearsome twosome, solving cases quickly.
Learner examples
- They are a fearsome twosome.