Frantic Meaning
/ˈfɹæn.tɪk/Definition, CEFR level C1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
adjInsane, mentally unstable.
adjIn a state of panic, worry, frenzy, or rush.
Sentence Examples
You did a lot of work in frantic haste.
Tom made a frantic attempt to finish painting the fence before dark.
CEFR Practice Quiz
The mother was ____ when she couldn't find her child.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The parents were ____ with worry when their young child didn't return home from school on time.
Word Origin & History
From Middle English frantike, frentik, variant of frenetik, from Old French frenetique, from Late Latin phreneticus, alteration of phreniticus, from φρενιτικός (phrenitikós, “mad, suffering from inflammation of the brain”), from φρενῖτις (phrenîtis, “inflammation of the brain”), from φρήν (phrḗn, “the brain”). Doublet of frenetic and phrenitic.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"Master have mercy on my sonne, for he is franticke: and ys sore vexed."
— 1526, [William Tyndale, transl.], The Newe Testamẽt […] (Tyndale Bible), [Worms, Germany: Peter Schöffer], →OCLC, Matthew:
"If with myself I hold intelligence,
Or have acquaintance with mine own desires;
If that I do not dream, or be not frantic—
As I do trust I am not—then, dear uncle,
Never so much as in a thought unborn
Did I offend your Highness."
— c. 1598–1600 (date written), William Shakespeare, “As You Like It”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act I, scene iii]:
"Sir George bore the annoyances of the night as a very vain man does totally unaccustomed to mortification. He was frantic with passion; he longed to kill somebody, but he did not know who."
— 1837, L[etitia] E[lizabeth] L[andon], “The Assignation”, in Ethel Churchill: Or, The Two Brides. […], volume III, London: Henry Colburn, […], →OCLC, page 247:
"At the end of a frantic first 45 minutes, there was still time for Charlie Adam to strike the bar from 20 yards before referee Atkinson departed to a deafening chorus of jeering from Everton's fans."
— 2011 October 1, Phil McNulty, “Everton 0 - 2 Liverpool”, in BBC Sport:
"[…] who but senseless Franticks would have thoughts so poor? My Reason forsakes the government of this weak Frame, and I am fall’n into disorder […]"
— 1657, Aston Cockayne, The Obstinate Lady, London: Isaac Pridmore, act V, scene 3, page 56:
Explore More C1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The mother was ____ when she couldn't find her child.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The parents were ____ with worry when their young child didn't return home from school on time.