affright

American  

[uh-frahyt] / əˈfraɪt /

verb (used with object)

1. to frighten.

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noun

1. sudden fear or terror; fright.

2. a source of terror.

3. the act of terrifying.

affright British  

/ əˈfraɪt /

verb

1. (tr) to frighten

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noun

1. a sudden terror

Other Word Forms

• self-affrighted adjective
• unaffrighted adjective
• unaffrightedly adverb

Etymology

Origin of affright

before 1000; Middle English afrighten, Old English āfyrhtan, equivalent to ā- a- ³ + fyrhtan to fright

Example Sentences

Entire towns and neighborhoods need not be affrighted They may complain of lack of power, but they’ll safely be delighted.

From Washington Post

I like it not, and I have grave doubts; but I fear to affright her, and so I am silent of it.

From Literature

The left eye delved narrowly into the past while the right gazed wide and affrighted into a future of blackness, error, and ruin.

From Literature

So the girls don’t say nothing, staring at each other all affrighted.

From Literature

They look up, and see a blur of color and affrighted movement as a flock of birds takes flight, disturbing the leaves.

From Literature