panic
PA-nihk
Panic (noun) means a sudden overwhelming feeling of fear that makes it hard to think clearly. Example: “In a moment of panic, she forgot where she had parked the car.”
noun
1
A sudden overwhelming feeling of fear that makes it hard to think clearly.
"In a moment of panic, she forgot where she had parked the car."
"Panic spread through the crowd when the fire alarm went off."
"He felt a wave of panic before walking on stage."
verb
1
To be overcome with sudden fear, or to cause someone to feel that way.
"The children panicked when the lights suddenly went out in the cellar."
"Don't panic — we still have time to catch the flight."
"The strange noise panicked the horses."
2
Of a computer, to crash suddenly and stop functioning.
"My laptop panicked after the update and showed only a black screen."
"When the kernel panics, the whole system stops and has to be restarted."
"The server panicked and rebooted itself in the middle of the night."
How to use panic
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSudden intense fear that overrides clear thinking, or to be struck by it.
Common pairings
panic attack
don't panic
mass panic
push the panic button
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Word forms
- Plural
- panics
- Third person singular
- panics
- Past tense
- panicked
- Comparative
- more Panic
- Superlative
- most Panic
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
In a moment of _____, she forgot where she had parked the car.
Etymology
From Greek panikós, "of Pan" — the god Pan was believed to cause sudden, unexplained terror in crowds and animals in lonely places.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for panic
See all rhymes for panic →Frequently asked questions
What does “panic” mean?
The word “panic” means a sudden overwhelming feeling of fear that makes it hard to think clearly. In plain terms, sudden intense fear that overrides clear thinking, or to be struck by it.
How do you pronounce “panic”?
“Panic” is pronounced PA-nihk (/ˈpeə̯nɪk/ in IPA).
How do you use “panic” in a sentence?
Here is “panic” used in a sentence: “Panic spread through the crowd when the fire alarm went off.”
What part of speech is “panic”?
Depending on how it is used, “panic” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “panic” come from?
The word “panic” comes from Greek. From Greek panikós, "of Pan" — the god Pan was believed to cause sudden, unexplained terror in crowds and animals in lonely places.
Is “panic” a common word?
“Panic” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “panic” have?
“Panic” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a sudden overwhelming feeling of fear that makes it hard to think clearly.
What is the difference between "panic" and "fear"?
Fear is a general response to a perceived threat and can range from mild to intense, while panic is a sudden, overwhelming surge of fear that makes clear thinking difficult. Panic is essentially fear at its most acute and uncontrolled.
What is the difference between "panic" and "anxiety"?
Panic is a sudden, sharp burst of fear that peaks quickly, whereas anxiety is a more sustained feeling of worry or unease, often about something that has not yet happened. A panic attack comes on rapidly, while anxiety tends to linger.
Why does "panic" become "panicked" and "panicking"?
When "panic" takes a verb ending, a "k" is added before "-ed" or "-ing" to keep the hard "c" sound, giving "panicked" and "panicking." Without the k, the "c" would be read as soft, as in the incorrect "panicing."
What are common phrases with "panic"?
Frequent collocations include "panic attack," "panic button," "panic buying," and the reassurance "don't panic." As a verb it often appears as "panic over" something or "start to panic."
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