# petrified

/ˈpɛtɹəˌfaɪd/ (US) · /pˈɛtɹɪfˌaɪd/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/petrified
Updated: 2026-05-11

## Definition

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.

For teachers: 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.

## Examples

- She stood petrified as the large dog ran toward her.
- The hikers were petrified when they realized they had lost the trail just as the sun began to set.
- 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.

## Pitfalls

- Not "I was petrified from the movie" but "I was petrified by the movie" — When describing the cause of fear, use 'by' or 'of' (e.g., 'petrified of heights') rather than 'from'.

## Usage notes

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

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.