petrify
gb/pˈɛtɹəfˌaɪ/ us/pˈɛtɹəfˌaɪ/
C1
English
megbénít, ledermeszt, megkövesedik, megkövesít, megmerevít, megmerevedik, megdermed, megkeményedik
VERB
C1
1
megbénít
B2
ledermeszt
C1
Usage pattern:
[something/someone] petrifies [someone]
The sudden crash outside petrified everyone in the room.
A kinti hirtelen csattanás mindenkit megbénított a szobában.
I was petrified when I realized I'd lost my passport.
Halálra rémültem, amikor rájöttem, hogy elvesztettem az útlevelemet.
Her father’s silence petrified her more than his anger.
Learner examples
The loud thunder petrified me.
A hangos mennydörgés teljesen ledermesztett.
She was petrified of snakes.
Rettegett a kígyóktól.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use *petrify* for mild fear; it usually means very strong fear.
Meaning
frighten so much they freeze
Collocations
petrify someone
|be petrified
|petrified with fear
|petrified of spiders
|petrified that
|petrified by the noise
|petrified into silence
|absolutely petrified
|petrifying thought
|petrifying scream
Synonyms
terrify (More common and direct; same strength.)
|
paralyze (Emphasizes being unable to act, often figurative.)
|
scare stiff (Informal phrase with a similar idea of freezing.)
Antonyms
calm (Makes someone less afraid or less tense.)
|
reassure (Reduces fear by giving confidence or comfort.)
Themes
emotions
|fear
|communication
Definition
To make someone extremely afraid so they freeze.
To frighten someone so much that they cannot move, speak, or think clearly for a moment.
VERB
C2
TECHNICAL
2
megkövesedik
C1
megkövesít
C2
Usage pattern:
[material] petrifies; [something] petrifies [material]
Over time, the fallen trees petrified and became stone-like logs.
Idővel a kidőlt fák megkövesedtek, és kőszerű rönkökké váltak.
The conditions in the riverbed helped petrify the ancient wood.
A folyómeder körülményei elősegítették, hogy az ősi fa megkövesedjen.
The museum displays branches that have petrified over millions of years.
Learner examples
Wood can petrify and become stone.
A fa megkövesedhet, és kővé válhat.
This log petrified a long time ago.
Ez a fatörzs nagyon régen megkövesedett.
Common mistake:
Do not confuse with *purify* or *petrify* meaning ‘frighten’.
Meaning
turn into stone over time
Collocations
petrified wood
|petrified forest
|petrified tree trunks
|petrify over millions of years
|petrify organic matter
|petrified remains
|petrified logs
|partly petrified
|completely petrified
|petrification process
Synonyms
fossilize (Broader term; can include other fossil processes besides turning to stone.)
|
mineralize (More technical; emphasizes minerals replacing original material.)
Antonyms
decompose (Break down rather than being preserved as stone.)
|
decay (General rotting process instead of preservation.)
Themes
nature
|science
|geology
Definition
To become stone (or to make something become stone) naturally over time.
To change (especially wood or other organic material) into stone through natural mineral processes over a long period.
VERB
C2
FORMAL
3
megmerevít
B2
megmerevedik
B2
Usage pattern:
[something] petrifies [system/attitude/practice]
Years of success had petrified the company’s thinking.
Az évekig tartó siker megmerevítette a cég gondolkodását.
Fear of criticism can petrify creativity.
A kritikától való félelem megmerevítheti a kreativitást.
The new policy petrified old habits instead of encouraging change.
Learner examples
Bad rules can petrify an organization.
A rossz szabályok megmerevíthetnek egy szervezetet.
His ideas petrified over time.
Az elképzelései idővel megmerevedtek.
Common mistake:
This sense is figurative and more formal; for people’s bodies use *stiffen* or *freeze* instead.
Meaning
make rigid and unchanging
Collocations
petrified bureaucracy
|petrified traditions
|petrified attitudes
|petrified rules
|petrified hierarchy
|petrify into routine
|petrify innovation
|petrified mindset
|petrify a system
|petrify progress
Synonyms
ossify (Very close figurative meaning; often used for institutions or ideas.)
|
harden (More general; can be physical or figurative.)
|
entrench (Emphasizes becoming firmly established and difficult to change.)
Antonyms
modernize (Update to fit current needs; opposite of becoming stuck.)
|
revitalize (Bring new energy and change.)
|
soften (Become less strict or rigid.)
Themes
society
|business
|education
Definition
To make something fixed and unable to change.
To make something such as attitudes, rules, or organizations rigid and resistant to change.
VERB
C2
LITERARY
4
megdermed
B2
Usage pattern:
[something] petrifies
In the cold wind, his fingers seemed to petrify.
A hideg szélben az ujjai mintha megdermedtek volna.
The mixture will petrify if you leave it uncovered.
A keverék megkeményedik, ha fedetlenül hagyod.
She felt her smile petrify as the conversation turned awkward.
Learner examples
My hands petrified in the cold.
A kezem megdermedt a hidegben.
The sauce petrified after it cooled.
A szósz megdermedt, miután kihűlt.
Common mistake:
In everyday English, people more often say *stiffen*, *freeze*, or *solidify*.
Meaning
become stiff or solid
Collocations
hands petrified
|limbs petrified
|blood petrified
|petrify in the cold
|petrify into a crust
|petrified in place
|petrify suddenly
|petrify on contact
|petrify overnight
|petrify completely
Synonyms
stiffen (Most common everyday alternative for bodies/materials becoming less flexible.)
|
solidify (Common for liquids becoming solid.)
|
freeze (Often used for cold or for stopping suddenly.)
Antonyms
loosen (Become less tight or less stiff.)
|
melt (Change from solid to liquid.)
|
soften (Become less hard or less rigid.)
Themes
daily_life
|nature
Definition
To become stiff or hard.
To become stiff, rigid, or solid, especially after being flexible or active.
Grammar
Dictionary form
petrify
IPA
GB/pˈɛtɹəfˌaɪ/
US/pˈɛtɹəfˌaɪ/
Syllables & stress
pet - ri - fy (3 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (pet)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: petrify
- 3rd Person Singular: petrifies
- Present Participle: petrifying
- Past: petrified
Word family
Forms
petrifies
verb
petrifying
verb
petrified
verb
Advanced or less common
petrification
noun
Expressions
be petrified of
1/bˈi pˈɛtɹəfˌaɪd əv/
fixed phrase
be extremely afraid of
To be very, very scared of something.
Examples
- He’s petrified of flying.
- I was petrified of telling her the truth.
- She’s petrified of dogs after being bitten once.
Learner examples
- I am petrified of spiders.
- He is petrified of heights.
be petrified that
1/bˈi pˈɛtɹəfˌaɪd ðˈæt/
fixed phrase
be extremely afraid that
To be very scared that something will happen.
Examples
- I’m petrified that I’ll fail the exam.
- She was petrified that the baby would wake up.
- They’re petrified that the company will shut down.
Learner examples
- I am petrified that I will be late.
- She is petrified that he is hurt.
petrified forest
1/pˈɛtɹəfˌaɪd fˈɔɹɪst/
fixed phrase
area with petrified trees
A place with many trees that turned to stone.
Examples
- We visited a petrified forest during our road trip.
- The guide explained how the petrified forest formed after a volcanic eruption.
- Photos from the petrified forest show colorful mineral patterns in the logs.
Learner examples
- We visited a petrified forest.
- The petrified forest is very old.
petrified with fear
1/pˈɛtɹəfˌaɪd wˈɪθ fˈɪɹ/
fixed phrase
frozen because of fear
So scared you cannot move.
Examples
- He stood petrified with fear as the dog charged.
- I was petrified with fear when the lights went out.
- She was petrified with fear and couldn’t speak.
Learner examples
- I was petrified with fear.
- He was petrified with fear.
petrified wood
1/pˈɛtɹəfˌaɪd wˈʊd/
fixed phrase
wood turned into stone
Wood that became stone over a long time.
Examples
- They found a piece of petrified wood near the canyon.
- The shop sells polished petrified wood as souvenirs.
- The trail passes an area full of petrified wood fragments.
Learner examples
- This is petrified wood.
- We saw petrified wood in the park.