# scare

> English word · Noun · IPA /skɛə/ · frequency rank #6,413

## Definitions
1. A minor fright.
2. A cause of terror or alarm; a panic; something that inspires fear or dread.
3. A device or object used to frighten.

## Etymology
From Middle English sker, skere (“terror, fright”), from the verb Middle English skerren (“to frighten”) (see below).

## Easily confused with
- **sure** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/scare-vs-sure)
- **star** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/scare-vs-star)
- **sore** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/scare-vs-sore)
- **sire** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/scare-vs-sire)
- **soar** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/scare-vs-soar)
- **spar** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/scare-vs-spar)
- **scat** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/scare-vs-scat)
- **sear** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/scare-vs-sear)
- **state** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/scare-vs-state)
- **start** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/scare-vs-start)
- **space** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/scare-vs-space)
- **share** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/scare-vs-share)
- **stage** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/scare-vs-stage)
- **store** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/scare-vs-store)
- **scene** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/scare-vs-scene)
- **stars** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/scare-vs-stars)
- **score** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/scare-vs-score)
- **smart** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/scare-vs-smart)
- **shape** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/scare-vs-shape)
- **shame** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/scare-vs-shame)

## Common misspellings (7)
`csare`, `sacre`, `scaer`, `scarre`, `sccare`, `scrae`, `sscare`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/scare