griezel

Griezel is a Dutch noun with two primary uses: it can denote a person who is frightening—a griezel—or refer to something that causes fear or discomfort. In everyday language, a griezel can be a creepy person, for example "Die man is een echte griezel." It can also describe objects or situations that give you shivers, such as a horror film or a haunted house; you might say "Dat verhaal is een echte griezel" or "Dat huis is een griezel." The adjective form griezelig means eerie or creepy; common compounds include griezelverhaal (creepy story), griezelfilm (horror film), and griezeltocht (haunted house attraction).

Origin and usage: The word is of Dutch origin and belongs to the Germanic family of words dealing with fear and shivering. It is widely used in informal speech, as well as in media and popular culture to describe horror content or experiences that provoke unease. The sense can be playful among children but also expresses genuine fear in adults.

See also: Related terms include griezeligheid (creepiness), griezelverhaal (creepy story), griezelfilm (horror film), spook (ghost), and the broader horror genre.