Word
terrified
Phoneticster·ri·fied, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈtɛɹəˌfaɪd/
UK/tˈɛɹɪfˌaɪd/
Definition
adj. feeling very scared or afraid, usually because of a danger or a bad experience.
adj. experiencing intense fear or alarm. Often followed by the prepositions 'of' or 'that'.
Examples
“The little boy was terrified of the dark.”
“She was terrified that she would miss her flight after the train broke down.”
“The hikers stood perfectly still, terrified that any sudden movement might provoke the bear watching them from the edge of the clearing.”
Examples
simple
“The little boy was terrified of the dark.”
contextual
“She was terrified that she would miss her flight after the train broke down.”
complex
“The hikers stood perfectly still, terrified that any sudden movement might provoke the bear watching them from the edge of the clearing.”
Usage
Commonly used with the preposition 'of' before a noun or 'that' before a clause.
Teaching tip
Learners often confuse 'terrified' with 'terrifying'; remind them that 'terrified' describes the victim's internal emotion.
Pitfall
The horror movie was very terrified.
The horror movie was very terrifying.
Use '-ed' to describe how a person feels and '-ing' to describe the thing that causes the feeling.
Synonyms
Antonyms
- 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.B1 PreliminaryIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.4.0–5.0TOEFL 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: 3.0–3.544–71TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.550–784
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B1 · Intermediate
- Updated
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