1. a person or thing that frightens or scares someone
Usage: informal; often used in British English
2. something designed or used to scare away animals or people
Usage: informal

Examples

• The horror movie was quite a frightener for the young children.
• That sudden noise was a real frightener—it made me jump.
• The scarecrow served as an effective frightener in the cornfield.
• He used loud noises as a frightener to keep birds away from the garden.
• The unexpected visitor gave her quite a frightener when she opened the door.
• That prank was meant to be a harmless frightener among friends.