frightened
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fright·en
(frīt′n)These verbs mean to cause a person to experience fear. Frighten and the more informal scare are the most widely applicable: "The Count's mysterious warning frightened me at the time" (Bram Stoker).We scared each other telling ghost stories before bed.
Alarm implies a state of fearful anxiety, often brought on suddenly: The sight of the approaching shark alarmed the swimmers.
Terrify implies overwhelming, often paralyzing fear: "It is the coming of death that terrifies me" (Oscar Wilde).
To terrorize is to strike fear into another, often for purposes of coercion: "The decent citizen was terrorized into paying public blackmail" (Arthur Conan Doyle).
Startle suggests a momentary fright that may cause a sudden, involuntary movement of the body: The clap of thunder startled us.
Panic implies sudden frantic fear that often impairs self-control and rationality: The realistic radio drama panicked the listeners who tuned in after it had begun.
afraid
frightenedIf you are afraid or frightened, you feel fear because you think something bad will happen.
You can also say that you are afraid of someone or something, or frightened of them.
If you don't want to do something because you think it might be harmful or dangerous, you can say that you are afraid to do it or frightened to do it.
Be Careful!
Afraid is used only after linking verbs such as be and feel. Don't use it in front of a noun. For example, don't talk about 'an afraid child'. However, you can talk about 'a frightened child'.
If you are worried about something, you can say that you are afraid of doing something wrong, or afraid that something will happen. You don't usually use 'frightened' in this way.
If you have to tell someone something and you think it might upset or annoy them, you can politely say 'I'm afraid...', 'I'm afraid so', or 'I'm afraid not'. 'I'm afraid so' means 'yes'. 'I'm afraid not' means 'no', and both of these expressions are used as responses to questions.
frighten
frightenedIf something frightens you, it makes you feel afraid.
Frighten is almost always a transitive verb. Don't say that someone 'frightens'. If you want to say that someone is afraid because of something that has happened or that might happen, you say that they are frightened.
Don't confuse frightened with frightening. Something that is frightening causes you to feel fear.
Adj. | 1. | frightened - made afraid; "the frightened child cowered in the corner"; "too shocked and scared to move" afraid - filled with fear or apprehension; "afraid even to turn his head"; "suddenly looked afraid"; "afraid for his life"; "afraid of snakes"; "afraid to ask questions" |
2. | frightened - thrown into a state of intense fear or desperation; "became panicky as the snow deepened"; "felt panicked before each exam"; "trying to keep back the panic-stricken crowd"; "the terrified horse bolted" afraid - filled with fear or apprehension; "afraid even to turn his head"; "suddenly looked afraid"; "afraid for his life"; "afraid of snakes"; "afraid to ask questions" |
frightened
frightened
[ˈfraɪtənd] adjI'm frightened! → J'ai peur!
to be frightened of sth → avoir peur de qch
Anna's frightened of spiders → Anna a peur des araignées.
to be frightened to do sth → avoir peur de faire qch
to be frightened sth will happen → avoir peur que qch arrive
to be frightened of doing sth (= fear one will) → avoir peur de faire qch
I was frightened of making a fool of myself → J'avais peur de me ridiculiser.