verb A2 Elementary

terrify

TEH-rih-feye

Terrify (verb) means to frighten someone severely. Example: “The horror film terrified half the audience.”

verb

To frighten someone severely.

"The horror film terrified half the audience."

"Thunderstorms terrify our dog."

How to use terrify

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishTo scare someone badly.

Common pairings

terrify an audience the thought terrifies me

terrified past tense, terrifies singular

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Can you complete this real example?

Thunderstorms _____ our dog.

From Middle French terrifier, from Latin terrificare, "to frighten."

Origin: Latin

terrorize terrorise

terrible frighten terrorise terrorize

unify codify verify pacify notify purify modify qualify amplify crucify specify falsify

What does “terrify” mean?

The word “terrify” means to frighten someone severely. In plain terms, to scare someone badly.

How do you pronounce “terrify”?

“Terrify” is pronounced TEH-rih-feye (/ˈtɛɹɪfaɪ/ in IPA).

How do you use “terrify” in a sentence?

Here is “terrify” used in a sentence: “Thunderstorms terrify our dog.”

What part of speech is “terrify”?

“Terrify” is a verb.

Where does the word “terrify” come from?

The word “terrify” comes from Latin. From Middle French terrifier, from Latin terrificare, "to frighten.".

Vocabulary lists that include terrify:

terrible frighten terrorise terrorize