fright

[ frahyt ]

/ fraɪt /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR fright ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

sudden and extreme fear; a sudden terror.

a person or thing of shocking, grotesque, or ridiculous appearance.

verb (used with object)

to frighten.

Nearby words

frigate, frigate bird, frigate mackerel, frigg, frigging, fright, fright wig, frighten, frightened, frightener, frightful

Origin of fright

before 900; Middle English; Old English frytu, fyrhto; akin to German Furcht

SYNONYMS FOR fright

1 dismay, consternation, alarm. See terror.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR fright ON THESAURUS.COM

Related forms

self-fright·ed, adjectiveun·fright·ed, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for fright

Finally he grabs that blanket [and] I counted eight on one double mattress, eight children held together—dying of fright.
Introducing Tzipi Livni to the Occupation|Avner Gvaryahu|October 1, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Take this sentence: "With the snake in sight, the horse reeled his paws in fright."
Why Do We Want Prices in Health Care?|Megan McArdle|February 27, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Kate got a fright when she thought she'd mislaid a family engagement ring that Prince William gave her in 2010.
Pip's Pranks|Tom Sykes|April 20, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Actress Emily Montague recalls how she survived the big vampire attack in 'Fright Night.'
Colin Farrell Licked Me!|Emily Montague|August 19, 2011|DAILY BEAST

Nonetheless, they should question the perspective and intentions of those on the fright wing they find common cause with.
Return of the Confederacy|John Avlon|February 25, 2010|DAILY BEAST
Happie cried, crimson with anger and the reaction from her fright.
Six Girls and Bob|Marion Ames Taggart
I am thinking of the old woman's fright, and their dismay at having to pay the damage.
Mrs. Halliburton's Troubles|Mrs. Henry Wood
I was in a kind of fright beyond my grief, and I caught hold of her dress and was kneeling to her.
Bleak House|Charles Dickens
It means that he has lost the use of his tongue—probably from fright—but would like to write something.
Punchinello, Vol. 1, No. 7, May 14, 1870|Various
I opened my eyes to find her bending over me with such a look of fright and remorse upon her face as I shall never forget.
Richard Carvel, Complete|Winston Churchill

British Dictionary definitions for fright

fright

/ (fraɪt) /

noun

sudden intense fear or alarm

a sudden alarming shock

informal a horrifying, grotesque, or ludicrous person or thingshe looks a fright in that hat

take fright to become frightened

verb

a poetic word for frighten

Word Origin for fright

Old English fryhto; related to Gothic faurhtei, Old Frisian fruchte, Old High German forhta

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012