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petrified
/ˈpɛt.rɪ.faɪd/
extremely frightened
She was petrified when she saw the snake on the path.
She was extremely frightened when she saw the snake on the path.
informal
Extremely frightened or terrified
The children were petrified by the thunderstorm.
The children were extremely scared by the thunderstorm.
Often used to describe an intense, paralyzing fear.
literary
Turned into stone, especially by a mythical or supernatural process
In Greek mythology, people were petrified by Medusa's gaze.
In Greek mythology, people were turned into stone by Medusa's gaze.
This meaning is less common in modern usage.
Collocations
petrified with fearextremely frightenedpetrified woodwood that has turned to stone over time
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Common Usage
Use 'petrified' to describe extreme fear, especially in informal contexts.
Gold Rule
Literal vs. Figurative
Remember that 'petrified' is most often used to describe fear, not literal stone transformation.
Word Origin
From Latin 'petrificare', meaning 'to turn into stone', from 'petra' (stone) + 'facere' (to make). The figurative sense of 'extremely frightened' developed in the 17th century.
Usage Notes
The word is commonly used to describe intense fear, often to the point of being unable to move or react. The literal meaning (turning into stone) is rare in modern usage.
Word Breakdown
petr
stone
rootified
made into
suffixEnglish Dictionary