bloodcurdling

UK: /ˈblʌdkɜː^rdlɪŋ/

US: /ˈblʌdˌkɝdlɪŋ, -ˌkɝdəlɪŋ/

US: (blud′kûrd′ling, -kûr′dl ing)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

blood•cur•dling /ˈblʌdˌkɜrdlɪŋ, -ˌkɜrdəlɪŋ/   adj. [usually before a noun]

1. causing fear or terror:
   a blood curdling scream.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

blood•cur•dling  (blud′kûrd′ling, -kûr′dl ing), adj. 

1. arousing terror;
   horrifying:
   a bloodcurdling scream.

• blood + curdle + -ing² 1930–35

blood′cur′dling•ly, adv. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

bloodcurdling / ˈblʌdˌkɜːdlɪŋ/ adjective

1. terrifying; horrifying

ˈbloodˌcurdlingly adverb