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Terrify Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

๐Ÿ˜ฑ
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terrify

[หˆter.ษช.faษช ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Verb

in horror movies

To cause extreme fear or terror in someone.

Synonyms

alarm, frighten, scare.

Examples of usage

  • She was terrified by the sound of footsteps behind her.
  • The haunted house movie had a terrifying effect on the audience.
Context #2 | Verb

in real-life situations

To make someone feel extremely frightened or scared.

Synonyms

dismay, horrify, petrify.

Examples of usage

  • The sudden loud noise terrified the children.
  • The thought of failing the exam terrified him.
Context #3 | Noun

general

An overwhelming feeling of fear or terror.

Synonyms

fear, horror, panic.

Examples of usage

  • She felt a sense of terror wash over her.
  • The terror in his eyes was evident.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Origin of 'terrify'

The word 'terrify' originated from the Latin word 'terrere', meaning 'to frighten'. Over time, the word evolved to its current form in the English language. The concept of instilling fear or terror in others has been a part of human experience for centuries, and 'terrify' captures the essence of this intense emotion.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #24,687, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.