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adj Uncommon

frantic

FRAN-tihk

Frantic (adj) means Wild with panic, worry, or urgency. Example: “She made a frantic search for her missing passport.”

adj
1
Wild with panic, worry, or urgency.
"She made a frantic search for her missing passport."
"His frantic phone calls finally got through to the ambulance service."
2
Extremely busy or hectic.
"The kitchen was frantic during the Saturday night rush."

How to use frantic

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishIn a state of panic or rushed, anxious activity.

Easily confused with
Common pairings
frantic search frantic pace frantic effort

Word forms

more frantic comparative, frantics plural, most frantic superlative

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She made a _____ search for her missing passport.

Etymology

From Old French frenetique, ultimately from Greek phrenitis, "inflammation of the brain" — the word originally described actual madness before softening to mean panicked or rushed.

Origin: Old French

Related words

Rhymes for frantic

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Frequently asked questions

What does “frantic” mean?

The word “frantic” means wild with panic, worry, or urgency. In plain terms, in a state of panic or rushed, anxious activity.

How do you pronounce “frantic”?

“Frantic” is pronounced FRAN-tihk (/ˈfɹæn.tɪk/ in IPA).

How do you use “frantic” in a sentence?

Here is “frantic” used in a sentence: “She made a frantic search for her missing passport.”

What is another word for “frantic”?

Words with a similar meaning to “frantic” include frenetic and frenzied.

What part of speech is “frantic”?

“Frantic” is an adjective.

Where does the word “frantic” come from?

The word “frantic” comes from Old French. From Old French frenetique, ultimately from Greek phrenitis, "inflammation of the brain" — the word originally described actual madness before softening to mean panicked or rushed.

Is “frantic” a common word?

“Frantic” is an uncommon word in modern English.

How many meanings does “frantic” have?

“Frantic” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: wild with panic, worry, or urgency.

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