Frighten Meaning
/ˈfɹaɪ.tən/Definition, CEFR level A2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
Listen pronunciation
Definition
verbTo cause to feel fear; to scare; to cause to feel alarm or fright.
verbTo become scared or alarmed.
Sentence Examples
I spoke to him kindly so as not to frighten him.
People with Mohawk haircuts frighten me!
I didn't mean to frighten you.
CEFR Practice Quiz
The horror movie will ____ the young children.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The dark shadow in the corner was enough to ____ the young children and make them call for their parents.
Word Origin & History
From Middle English *frightenen, equivalent to fright + -en.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"His Deſign was only to frighten France, and get more Money."
— 1746, Isaac Kimber, “Henry VII”, in The History of England, from the Earliest Accounts to the Accession of His Present Majesty King George II. […] , page 217:
"You may frighten a pig, a goose, a frog, and even a fly, but you cannot frighten or surprise a sloth."
— 1883, Felix Leopold Oswald, “A Step-child of Nature”, in Zoological Sketches[:] A Contribution to the Out-door Study of Natural History, Philadelphia: J. B. Lippincott & Co., page 90:
"And he commanded his soldiers […] to frighten them with fierce swords, but the hearts of the holy men did not quail, and they were unable to alter their words."
— 1928, E. A. Wallis Budge, transl., The Book of the Saints of the Ethiopian Church[:] A translation of the Ethiopic Synaxarium […] , volume 1, London: Cambridge University Press, page 220:
"In fitting the White Leghorns for exhibition, it must be remembered that they are of nervous disposition and frighten easily."
— 1898, Franklane L. Sewell, Ida E. Tilson, “White Leghorns”, in The Poultry Herald Manual[:] A Guide to Successful Poultry Keeping, St. Paul, Minnesota: Webb Publishing Company, page 41:
"Those male moose at the southeast arm didn't frighten very much when we docked to fly-fish one day. One was so scared of us he just walked toward us and snorted."
— 1959, Harold G. (Hack) Miller, “Rod and gun”, in Hearings […] , Washington: United States Government Printing Office, page 101:
Explore More A2 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The horror movie will ____ the young children.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The dark shadow in the corner was enough to ____ the young children and make them call for their parents.