Word
panicky
Phoneticspan·icky
US/ˈpænɪki/
UK/pˈænɪkˌi/
Definition
adj. feeling sudden strong fear that makes it hard to think clearly. You use it when someone acts fast and nervous because they feel scared.
adj. experiencing or expressing sudden, uncontrolled fear or anxiety that impairs clear thought. Often describes hurried, irrational behaviour arising from alarm.
Examples
“She feels panicky before every flight.”
“He grows panicky in heavy traffic and starts checking his phone for another route.”
“Left alone in the unfamiliar station as the last train departed, she fought a panicky urge to run after strangers for help.”
Examples
simple
“She feels panicky before every flight.”
contextual
“He grows panicky in heavy traffic and starts checking his phone for another route.”
complex
“Left alone in the unfamiliar station as the last train departed, she fought a panicky urge to run after strangers for help.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “panicky” in context.
Verb
01. act panicky
“Don't act panicky, or the dog will get nervous too.”
verb + adj
02. become panicky
“He tends to become panicky under time pressure.”
verb + adj
03. feel panicky
“Many students feel panicky before a big exam.”
verb + adj
04. get panicky
“Try to breathe slowly when you get panicky in traffic.”
verb + adj
05. look panicky
“You look panicky - sit down and tell me what happened.”
verb + adj
Adjective
06. increasingly panicky
“As the train stopped, the passengers became increasingly panicky.”
adv + adj
Noun
07. panicky moment
“I had a panicky moment when I lost my passport.”
adj + noun
08. panicky reaction
“His panicky reaction made the situation worse.”
adj + noun
09. panicky voice
“With a panicky voice, he asked where the exit was.”
adj + noun
10. get slightly panicky about
“Don't get slightly panicky about every small delay.”
11. have a panicky moment
“I had a panicky moment when my phone died abroad.”
12. let out a panicky laugh
“She let out a panicky laugh before answering the question.”
Real-World Examples
“After Hong Kong reported its first case of the virus last month, panicky residents queued at dawn, waiting for pharmacies to open to buy masks and sanitary wipes.” “The drastic manoeuvres were aimed at cushioning the economic impact as the breakneck spread of the coronavirus all but shut down more countries, though they had only limited success in calming panicky investors.” “Wall Street just went through its weakest three-week period since November, not to mention a panicky spell when the Nasdaq stock market ground to a halt.” Synonyms
Antonyms
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
Related words
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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