Spooked: Definition, Examples, and Usage

Meaning 1：frightened (Spooked)

Spooked 🔊

/spuːkt/

adj.

To be suddenly frightened or startled, often by something unexpected.

frightened 🔊

➕

/ˈfraɪtnd/

adj.

Suddenly scared or startled, often by something unexpected or eerie.

📁 Category：Physical & Mental Health 🔖 Level：intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From 'spook' (ghost), originally from Dutch 'spook' meaning apparition.

💡 Mnemonic

A spooky ghost (spook) jumps out and yells 'Boo!'—that's how you feel when spooked.

📖 Example

We were walking in the woods when a loud crack from a branch spooked us, and we decided to head back. 🔊 We were walking in the woods when a loud crack from a branch spooked us, and we decided to head back.

🔗 Collocations

get spooked – become suddenly frightened

spooked horse – a horse startled by something

spooked by – startled or frightened by something

🔄 Synonyms

frightened (adj.) – feeling fear or being scared

startled (adj.) – suddenly surprised or alarmed

scared (adj.) – feeling afraid or anxious

🚫 Antonyms

calm (adj.) – not agitated or distressed

unafraid (adj.) – not feeling fear

composed (adj.) – in control of one's emotions

🌱 Derivatives

spook (v.) – to frighten or startle

spooky (adj.) – scary or eerie

spookiness (n.) – the quality of being spooky

📖 Cultural Story

The word 'spooked' entered English via Dutch 'spook' in the 19th century, often used to describe horses startled by imagined ghosts, later generalised to any sudden fright.