adj Uncommon

startled

STAHT-ld

Startled (adj) means Suddenly surprised and a little frightened. Example: “He gave a startled look when his name was called out.”

adj

Suddenly surprised and a little frightened.

"He gave a startled look when his name was called out."

How to use startled

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishDescribes the reaction of someone who has just been given a quick shock.

Common pairings

startled expression startled look

Word forms

more startled comparative, most startled superlative

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He gave a _____ look when his name was called out.

Frequently asked questions

What does “startled” mean?

The word “startled” means suddenly surprised and a little frightened. In plain terms, describes the reaction of someone who has just been given a quick shock.

How do you pronounce “startled”?

“Startled” is pronounced STAHT-ld (/ˈstɑɹt.l̩d/ in IPA).

How do you use “startled” in a sentence?

Here is “startled” used in a sentence: “He gave a startled look when his name was called out.”

What part of speech is “startled”?

“Startled” is an adjective.

Is “startled” a common word?

“Startled” is an uncommon word in modern English.