# terrify

/ˈtɛɹəˌfaɪ/ (US) · /tˈɛɹɪfˌaɪ/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/terrify
Updated: 2026-05-02

## Definition

to make someone feel very afraid or full of terror. You use this when something is much more than just scary.

For teachers: to fill with extreme fear or intense alarm. Transitive; requires a direct object, which is the person or entity experiencing the fear.

## Examples

- The loud thunder began to terrify the young children.
- Sudden engine failure at thirty thousand feet would terrify even the most experienced pilot.
- The prospect of total economic collapse continued to terrify investors, leading to a frantic sell-off across global markets as they sought safer assets.

## Pitfalls

- Not "The movie was very terrified." but "The movie was very terrifying." — Learners often confuse the -ed participle (how someone feels) with the -ing participle (the thing causing the feeling).

## Usage notes

- The verb is transitive and takes a direct object.

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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.