Terrified Definition: Meaning, Usage, and Examples

Meaning 1：extremely scared (Terrified)

Terrified 🔊

/ˈterɪfaɪd/

adj.

Feeling extremely scared, so much that you can't think or move properly.

Terrified child frozen by shadow on wall at night

extremely scared 🔊

➕

/ɪkˈstriːmli skeərd/

adj.

Feeling an intense level of fear that can cause paralysis or inability to think clearly.

📁 Category：Physical & Mental Health 🔖 Level：高级

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Latin 'terrere' (to frighten) + suffix -ified (made).

💡 Mnemonic

Think 'terrible + ied' – feeling so terrible that you're frozen with fear.

📖 Example

He was absolutely terrified when riding the roller coaster for the first time, gripping the safety bar with his eyes tightly shut. 🔊 He was absolutely terrified when riding the roller coaster for the first time, gripping the safety bar with his eyes tightly shut.

🔗 Collocations

absolutely terrified – completely and utterly frightened

terrified of – fearful of something or someone

terrified by – made scared by something specific

🔄 Synonyms

frightened (adj.) – Feeling fear or anxiety.

scared (adj.) – Filled with fear or apprehension.

horrified (adj.) – Feeling intense shock or disgust mixed with fear.

🚫 Antonyms

fearless (adj.) – Showing no fear; brave.

courageous (adj.) – Showing the ability to face danger despite fear.

🌱 Derivatives

terrify (v.) – To cause extreme fear.

terrifying (adj.) – Causing great fear.

terror (n.) – Intense, overwhelming fear.

📖 Cultural Story

Originates from Latin 'terrere' (to frighten), used in ancient Rome for instilling terror. Passed through Old French 'terrifier' into English, retaining its intense fear meaning.