panic
1 Americannoun
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a sudden overwhelming fear, with or without cause, that produces hysterical or irrational behavior, and that often spreads quickly through a group of persons or animals.
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an instance, outbreak, or period of such fear.
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Finance. a sudden widespread fear concerning financial affairs leading to credit contraction and widespread sale of securities at depressed prices in an effort to acquire cash.
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Slang. someone or something that is considered hilariously funny.
The comedian was an absolute panic.
adjective
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of the nature of, caused by, or indicating panic.
A wave of panic buying shook the stock market.
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(of fear, terror, etc.) suddenly destroying the self-control and impelling to some frantic action.
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Panic, of or relating to the god Pan.
verb (used with object)
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to affect with panic; terrify and cause to flee or lose self-control.
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Slang. to keep (an audience or the like) highly amused.
verb (used without object)
noun
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Also called panic grass. any grass of the genus Panicum, many species of which bear edible grain.
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the grain.
noun
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a sudden overwhelming feeling of terror or anxiety, esp one affecting a whole group of people
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(modifier) of or resulting from such terror
panic measures
verb
adjective
Related Words
See terror.
Other Word Forms
- panicky adjective
- unpanicky adjective
Etymology
Origin of panic1
First recorded in 1580–90; earlier panique, from French, from Greek Panikós “of Pan”; Pan, -ic
Origin of panic2
First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English panik, from Latin pānicum “Italian millet”
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“Gold and silver are caught in a wider market panic, selling off as traders rush to cut losses and risk,” said Adrian Ash, director of research at BullionVault, in an analysis report posted Friday.
From MarketWatch
But their return still set off panicked media coverage and conspiracy theories as well as the demonization of those involved in the rescue.
"The government is saying there is no need to panic but the ground reality is different."
From Barron's
"Since the attacks started, there's a lot of panic. And even our families have been panicking," said Pereira.
From Barron's
You have avoided great depths of despair and panic, and even greater heights of self-congratulation and ecstasy.
From MarketWatch
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
