unheimlich
Translation
eerie, uncanny, creepy, tremendous
Examples
Das alte Haus hat eine unheimliche Atmosphäre.
The old house has an eerie atmosphere.
Sie hat unheimlich viel Talent.
She has a tremendous amount of talent.
Grammar Patterns
((attributive)) an eerie ... That was an unheimliche encounter.
((predicative)) ... is eerie The silence in the forest was unheimlich.
((adverbial)) tremendously ... He ran unheimlich fast.
Similar Words
Synonyms: eerie, creepy, uncanny; Antonyms: cozy, comfortable, familiar (heimelig, gemütlich)
Etymology
Composed of 'un-' (not) + 'Heim' (home) + '-lich' (-ly/like). It literally means 'un-homely', describing a feeling of strangeness or unease.
Memory Tips
Picture a house that is the opposite of 'homely'—it's strange, unfamiliar, and gives you the creeps. That's 'unheimlich'.