frightened - Master This Word
Master this word with our 5-step learning method – Learn English in English
frightened Word Meanings
- to make someone feel scared
- to instill fear in someone
- to cause someone to feel alarm
frightened Example Sentences
Example sentences are the start of understanding. Don't rush to memorize. First feel how the word works in a sentence.
frightened Phonetic & Pronunciation
UK
/ˈfraɪtən/
US
/ˈfraɪtn/
frightened Word Etymology
frighten = fright (a sudden fear) + -en (to make). Historical origin: Middle English (frighten) from Old English ‘fyrhtan’ and related to Old Norse ‘frika’. Memory image: Imagine a dark haunted house that suddenly makes someone jump with fright.
Note 1: These definitions and etymologies are not standard dictionary definitions, but extended explanations provided to help with memorization and understanding of the actual application of words. Through this background information, we strive to make words more vivid and easier to understand, and help you remember their meanings in real life.
Note 2: LexiTalk designs the learning flow around the linguistics principle of “Comprehensible Input.” When learners encounter material that is slightly above their level but still understandable from context, the brain naturally absorbs the language. That’s why we keep every word inside authentic contexts, using examples and associations to help you understand it and use it flexibly.
Read the FAQ explanation of Comprehensible InputEnglish Brain Route
I grip the flashlight, push the switch, and the beam cuts into the dark corner. A sudden shadow shifts, the light wobbles, and my pulse ticks louder. I adjust my stance, keep my breath even, and let the room's chill do the talking. If a stranger walked in now, that quick jolt would frighten them, turning a quiet room into something to fear.
Real Context
Frighten is a transitive verb meaning to make someone feel frightened or alarmed. It often implies a sudden cause of fear rather than a long lasting threat, and it can feel more formal or vivid than scare in everyday speech. You frighten someone by something startling or threatening, or by exploiting their fears to coerce them (frighten someone into doing something). The word is built from fright (a sudden fear) + en (to make); its historical roots lie in Middle English frighten from Old English fyrhtan and related to Old Norse frika. Memory image: a dark, creaking hallway that suddenly triggers fright and makes you jump.
Usage Reminders
- - Remember frighten is transitive and takes a direct object.
- - Differentiate frighten from scare (more formal, stronger).
- - Use frightened for passive voice: was frightened.
- - Learn the pattern frighten someone into doing something for coercion.
- - Check that the subject causes the fear, not the fear itself.
- - Practice with common collocations like frighten away or frighten off.
Common Misconceptions
- Frighten and scare are always interchangeable; they are not. Frighten is stronger and more formal.
- Frighten only works when the source is sudden; it can be a person, sound, or situation.
- You can frighten anyone into anything without a warning or consent; this is not natural everyday speech.
- Frighten does not have a passive form; you can be frightened, not frighten-ed.
- Confusing frighten with terrorize; terrorize carries a more extreme, even violent connotation.
Thinking Differences
In English, frighten emphasizes a sudden, sometimes external trigger and can feel more vivid or formal than scare. Learners may overuse frighten in casual talk or misplace it with scare in everyday contexts.
Learning Tips
- Compare frighten with scare and terrify to feel nuance differences.
- Practice both active and passive forms: frighten vs be frightened.
- Use the into doing construction to express coercion.
- Add collocations: frighten away, frighten to death (idiom).
- Listen for formal contexts (news, literature) where frighten may appear.
- Memorize the etymology image: fright + en for 'to make sudden fear'.
5-Step Learning Method - Learn English in English
Step 1: Meaning
What is the meaning of the word 'frightened'?
A.Scared
B.Happy
C.Strong
D.Fast
Step 2: Usage
Which of the following sentences uses 'frightened' correctly?
A.He was delighted by the news.
B.She was frightened of the dark.
C.They were confused about the assignment.
D.I am excited to start the new project.
Step 3: Similar Words
What is a synonym for 'frightened'?
A.Brave
B.Confident
C.Relaxed
D.Terrified
Step 4: Opposite Words
What is an antonym for 'frightened'?
A.Fearless
B.Anxious
C.Panic
D.Awestruck
Step 5: Mastery
In what situation might someone feel 'frightened'?
A.When watching a comedy movie
B.When seeing a cute puppy
C.When relaxing at the beach
D.When encountering a loud thunderstorm
Want to practice more words?
Download LexiTalk app for personalized learning experience
Download App