frighten
gb/fɹˈaɪtən/ us/fɹˈaɪtən/
A2
English
~ 3000
Senses
0 senses
Verb
A2
action
1
Cause someone to feel afraid
To make a person feel afraid.
Usage pattern:
to frighten [someone]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'frighten' with 'afraid'. 'Frighten' is a verb (to make someone afraid), while 'afraid' is an adjective (feeling fear).
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.)
Collocations
frighten away
|frighten off
|frighten children
|frighten animals
Themes
emotions
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The loud noise frightened the baby.
- The idea of speaking in public frightens me.
- 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.
- Loud sounds can frighten my cat.
- The dark room frightened her.
- The teacher's angry voice frightened the students.
- She was frightened when she saw the snake.
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.