Frighten
/ˈfraɪtn/
verbB1
Definition
Frighten means to cause a feeling of fear or worry in someone. It usually happens when something surprises a person or makes them feel unsafe or nervous. The feeling is often quick and strong.
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See It in Action
To cause fear or alarm in someone
- •The loud thunder frightened the children.
- •Don't frighten the cat by making sudden movements.
- •The movie was designed to frighten the audience.
To make someone nervous or worried (less common, but related)
- •The idea of speaking in public can frighten many people.
- •She was frightened by the thought of failing the exam.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "frighten" like "scare" (A1 word), but it often means making someone feel a sudden or strong fear.
- ✓Picture a loud noise in a dark room that makes you jump and your heart beat fast.
- ✓It's the feeling you get when you see something unexpected and feel nervous or afraid for a moment.
- ✓Sounds like "FRIGHT-en" → imagine a bright light shining suddenly and making you jump in fright.
- ✓Think of a story where a ghost suddenly appears and the characters feel frightened.
- ✓NOT like "worry" (slow, thinking about problems), "frighten" is a quick feeling of fear.
- ✓NOT like "hurt" (physical pain), "frighten" is about feeling scared inside.
- ✓NOT like "surprise" (can be good or bad), "frighten" always means a scary or bad surprise.
Try Other Words
- •Scare: to cause a sudden feeling of fear (Use when the fear is quick and often less serious)
- •Alarm: to make someone feel worried or frightened suddenly (Use when emphasizing sudden worry or danger)
- •Terrify: to cause very strong fear (Use when the fear is very strong or extreme)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: root "fright" (fear) + suffix "-en" (to make or become)
- •Etymology: from Old English "fyrhtan," meaning to cause fear or terror
- •Historical development: The word has been used for centuries to describe causing fear or alarm
- •Modern usage: Commonly used in everyday speech to describe making someone feel afraid or nervous quickly
Reflect & Connect
•Can something frighten you without being dangerous? When does fear help us?
•How do you react when someone frightens you? Do you stay calm or get very scared?
Fill in the blanks
1.Loud noises often frighten people because they ___ unexpected and loud.
2.The dark forest frightened her ___ because she felt unsafe there.
3.Unlike "surprise," "frighten" always means the feeling is ___ or bad.
4.When a person is frightened, their heart usually ___ faster.
5.You can frighten animals by moving ___ or making loud sounds.
6.The idea of failing a test can frighten students and make them feel ___.
7.People often frighten others as a joke, but sometimes it can make them feel ___ scared.