scare - Master This Word
Master this word with our 5-step learning method – Learn English in English
scare Word Meanings
- feeling frightened or worried
- causing fear or anxiety
- to cause someone to feel fear
scare Example Sentences
Example sentences are the start of understanding. Don't rush to memorize. First feel how the word works in a sentence.
scare Phonetic & Pronunciation
UK
/skeə/
US
/skɛr/
scare Word Etymology
scare = 'fright' + '-ed' (past participle); from Middle Dutch 'schreken' → Old Norse 'skirra' → English. Picture a child hiding under a blanket, scared by a ghostly shadow looming over them.
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 door handle and push it a crack, a cold draft sliding along my skin. I shift my weight, keep my eyes on the corner, and breathe slow to steady myself. A floorboard creaks and my heart jumps; I turn my head toward the sound and set my shoulders for what might come. And then I realize the scare is not out there but in my own nerves, a pull I can ease with a steady exhale.
Real Context
Scare is a transitive verb meaning to cause someone to feel frightened or worried. It is used with people and animals, and appears in phrases like 'scare someone to death' or 'scare away'. The related adjective 'scary' describes something that provokes fear, while 'scared' or 'afraid' describe a person’s feeling. Learners often confuse scare with the intransitive 'be scared' and mix up its use with 'frighten' or 'terrify'. In everyday speech you might say 'That movie scared me' or 'The loud noise frightened the dog'. Remember, scare emphasizes the action on the other person, not the person’s own fear state.
Usage Reminders
- Use scare as a verb with a direct object; do not use it as an adjective. Distinguish 'scary' (adjective) from 'scared' (adjective). Pair 'scare' with nouns that show cause: 'scare tactics', 'scare someone away'. Avoid overuse in calm or long-term anxiety contexts. Practice with common collocations like 'scare to death', 'scare the life out of someone'. Remember passive forms feel less natural: you are scared, not you scare. Use synonyms like frighten for variety.
Common Misconceptions
- Scare = be scared; they confuse the target with the state of fear.
- Scare always means aggression; it’s not the same as 'scare off' in all contexts.
- Scare can describe a slow anxiety; use frighten for stronger contexts.
- Using scare as a passive or intransitive verb.
- Confusing scary (adjective) with scare (verb).
Thinking Differences
In English, scare emphasizes the action on another person or animal and can pair with aggressive connotations like 'scare away'. Speakers often overextend to describe slow anxiety, which would better be covered by frighten or worry. Learners also commonly mix up scare with be scared, which flips the subject’s role.
Learning Tips
- Remember: scare as a verb takes a direct object (You scare someone).
- Differentiate scare (verb) from scary (adjective) and scared (adjective).
- Use phrases like scare away, scare to death for emphasis.
- Avoid saying 'I scare' about yourself; use 'I am scared' instead.
- Practice with both concrete (noise, surprise) and abstract (news, rumors) triggers.
- Seek natural collocations to avoid sounding forced.
5-Step Learning Method - Learn English in English
Step 1: Meaning
What is the best definition of the word scare?
A.a large amount of money
B.to cause fear or alarm
C.a friendly greeting
D.a brief rest or nap
Step 2: Usage
Which sentence uses the word scare correctly?
A.I need to scare the car before driving.
B.She gave the cake a scare with frosting.
C.The loud noise will scare the baby.
D.They plan to scare their homework on the table.
Step 3: Similar Words
Which word is most similar in meaning to scare?
A.frighten
B.encourage
C.celebrate
D.ignore
Step 4: Opposite Words
Which word is the opposite of scare?
A.comfort
B.alarm
C.terrify
D.startle
Step 5: Mastery
Which real-life scenario is one where the word scare would be used correctly?
A.A heavy thunderclap during the night causes neighbors to feel frightened.
B.You give your friend a beautifully wrapped present on their birthday.
C.A teacher praises a student in front of the class for good work.
D.You help a lost kitten find its owner and return it safely.
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