ENGLISH
REFERENCE

petrified

adj.
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˈpɛtɹəˌfaɪd// UK //pˈɛtɹɪfˌaɪd// pet·ri·fied

adj. feeling so scared that you cannot move or think clearly. It can also describe wood or other living things that have turned into stone over a very long time.

adj. extremely frightened and unable to move or act; alternatively, organic matter converted into a stony substance by mineral infiltration. Often used predicatively to describe an emotional state.


SIMPLE

She stood petrified as the large dog ran toward her.

CONTEXTUAL

The hikers were petrified when they realized they had lost the trail just as the sun began to set.

COMPLEX

While the museum is famous for its collection of petrified wood, most visitors are more drawn to the vivid accounts of explorers who were petrified by the region's unpredictable wildlife.

Synonyms
Usage

When describing fear, it often follows linking verbs like 'be', 'feel', or 'seem'.

Pitfall

I was petrified from the movieI was petrified by the movieWhen describing the cause of fear, use 'by' or 'of' (e.g., 'petrified of heights') rather than 'from'.

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