"causing fear," 1768, from fear (n.) + -some (1). Occasionally used badly in the sense "timid," which ought to stick to fearful. Related: Fearsomely; fearsomeness.

What do fearsome means?

1a : causing fear a fearsome monster. b : intense, extreme fearsome determination. 2 : timid, timorous.

Does fearsome mean scary?

Fearsome is used to describe things that are frightening, for example because of their large size or extreme nature. He had developed a fearsome reputation for intimidating people.