frightened

UK: ˈfraɪtnd | US: ˈfraɪtnd

Definition

  1. adj. feeling fear or anxiety

  2. v. (past tense of frighten) to cause someone to feel fear

Structure
fright <fear>en <verb suffix>ed <past participle suffix>
Etymology

The word "frightened" derives from the Old English fyrhto (fear), combined with the verb-forming suffix -en (as in "strengthen") and the past participle suffix -ed. The root fright traces back to Proto-Germanic furhtaz, meaning "afraid." Over time, frighten evolved to mean "to scare," and frightened became the adjective describing the state of being scared.

Examples

  1. She was frightened by the sudden noise.

  2. The child looked frightened when the lights went out.

  3. His frightened expression revealed his anxiety.

  4. The dog seemed frightened during the thunderstorm.

  5. They were too frightened to move.