frighten
FREYE-tuhn
Frighten (verb) means to make someone feel afraid or alarmed; to scare. Example: “The loud thunder frightened the dog.”
verb
1
To make someone feel afraid or alarmed; to scare.
"The loud thunder frightened the dog."
"Don't sneak up on me like that — you frightened me!"
2
To become afraid.
"She frightens easily at the sight of spiders."
How to use frighten
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo scare someone, or to become scared.
Common pairings
frighten someone
easily frightened
frighten away
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- frightens
- Past tense
- frightened
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The loud thunder _____ the dog.
Etymology
From the older English word "fright" (fear) plus the verb-forming ending "-en", the same pattern seen in "sadden" or "harden".
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for frighten
See all rhymes for frighten →Frequently asked questions
What does “frighten” mean?
The word “frighten” means to make someone feel afraid or alarmed; to scare. In plain terms, to scare someone, or to become scared.
How do you pronounce “frighten”?
“Frighten” is pronounced FREYE-tuhn (/ˈfɹaɪ.tən/ in IPA).
How do you use “frighten” in a sentence?
Here is “frighten” used in a sentence: “The loud thunder frightened the dog.”
What is another word for “frighten”?
Words with a similar meaning to “frighten” include alarm, affright, appall, dismay, fray and grill.
What part of speech is “frighten”?
“Frighten” is a verb.
Is “frighten” a common word?
“Frighten” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “frighten” have?
“Frighten” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to make someone feel afraid or alarmed; to scare.
