Terrify: Definition, Usage & Common Mistakes

Meaning 1：cause extreme fear (terrify)

terrify 🔊

/ˈter.ɪ.faɪ/

vt.

To make someone extremely scared, to the point where their heart races and they want to run away.

Terrify meaning illustrated by a person watching a horror movie with a scared expression

cause extreme fear 🔊

➕

/kɔːz ɪkˈstriːm fɪər/

vt.

To make someone feel intensely frightened, often leading to panic or a desire to escape.

📁 Category：Behaviors & Actions 🔖 Level：intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

Derived from Latin 'terrere' meaning 'to frighten' and suffix '-fy' meaning 'to make'.

💡 Mnemonic

Think 'terror-fy' – to make terror.

📖 Example

The sudden loud crash in the middle of the night terrified the little girl, and she hid under her blanket. 🔊 A sudden loud noise at night scared the little girl so much that she hid under her blanket.

🔗 Collocations

terrify someone – to cause extreme fear in someone

be terrified of – to be extremely afraid of something

terrifying experience – an experience that causes great fear

🔄 Synonyms

frighten (vt.) – to make someone feel afraid

horrify (vt.) – to cause someone to feel shock and fear

petrify (vt.) – to make someone so frightened that they cannot move

🚫 Antonyms

calm (vt.) – to make someone feel peaceful and not afraid

reassure (vt.) – to say or do something to remove someone's fears

🌱 Derivatives

terrifying (adj.) – causing extreme fear

terrified (adj.) – feeling extreme fear

terror (n.) – extreme fear

📖 Cultural Story

Originates from Latin 'terrere' (to frighten). Commonly used in modern English to describe intense fear induced by horror media, sudden accidents, or threatening situations.