frightened

/ˈfraɪtənd/
adjectiveBeginner very scared or afraid
informal

feeling extreme fear or anxiety

She looked frightened when she heard the noise outside.

She appeared very scared when she heard the noise outside.

The dog was frightened by the fireworks.

The dog was terrified by the fireworks.

💡

Often used to describe a strong emotional reaction to a perceived threat or danger.

Related Phrases

💡Pro Tip

Common Usage

Use 'frightened' to describe a strong emotional reaction to fear, often in informal contexts.

Gold Rule

Synonyms and Antonyms

Remember that 'frightened' is similar to 'scared' and 'terrified' but can be stronger in some contexts.

📖Word Origin

From Middle English 'fraytened', past participle of 'frayten' (to frighten), from Old English 'fǣhtan' (to terrify), related to 'fear'.

📝Usage Notes

Can be used to describe both physical and emotional reactions to fear. Often used in informal contexts to express strong fear.

Word Breakdown

frighten
to cause fear
root
+
-ed
past participle suffix
suffix
English Dictionary