frighten
gb/fɹˈaɪtən/ us/fɹˈaɪtən/
A2
English
~ 3000
megijeszt, megrémít
VERB
A2
1
Usage pattern:
to frighten [someone]
The loud noise frightened the baby.
A hangos zaj megijesztette a babát.
The idea of speaking in public frightens me.
Megijeszt a gondolat, hogy nyilvánosság előtt beszéljek.
The barking dog frightened the mail carrier.
He was frightened by the sudden movement.
The movie frightened many viewers.
Learner examples
The storm frightened the little boy.
A vihar megijesztette a kisfiút.
Loud sounds can frighten my cat.
A hangos hangok megijeszthetik a macskámat.
The dark room frightened her.
The teacher's angry voice frightened the students.
She was frightened when she saw the snake.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'frighten' with 'afraid'. 'Frighten' is a verb (to make someone afraid), while 'afraid' is an adjective (feeling fear).
Meaning
Cause someone to feel afraid
Collocations
frighten away
|frighten off
|frighten children
|frighten animals
Synonyms
scare (More informal and slightly more common in everyday speech.)
|
terrify (Stronger and more intense level of fear.)
Antonyms
reassure (Makes someone feel safe and less afraid.)
Themes
emotions
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To make a person feel afraid.
To make someone feel fear or anxiety, often suddenly or unexpectedly.
Grammar
Dictionary form
frighten
IPA
GB/fɹˈaɪtən/
US/fɹˈaɪtən/
Syllables & stress
fright - en (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (fright)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: frighten
- 3rd Person Singular: frightens
- Present Participle: frightening
- Past: frightened
Word family
Expressions
frighten away
1/fɹˈaɪtən əwˈeɪ/
phrasal verb
Cause someone to go away by fear
To make a person or animal go away because they are afraid.
Examples
- The guard dog frightened away the intruder.
- Loud noises can frighten away birds from the garden.
frighten off
1/fɹˈaɪtən ˈɔf/
phrasal verb
Stop someone from coming closer by fear
To stop a person or animal from coming near because they are afraid.
Examples
- The farmer used a scarecrow to frighten off the crows.
- High prices may frighten off potential buyers.