fright

[frahyt]

noun

1. sudden and extreme fear; a sudden terror.

   Synonyms: alarm, consternation, dismay

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

verb (used with object)

1. to frighten.

fright

/ fraɪt /

noun

1. sudden intense fear or alarm

2. a sudden alarming shock

3. informal,  a horrifying, grotesque, or ludicrous person or thing

   she looks a fright in that hat

4. to become frightened

verb

1. a poetic word for frighten

Other Word Forms

• self-frighted adjective
• unfrighted adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of fright¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of fright¹

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

Synonym Study

See terror.

Example Sentences

In any case, it’s very much a work of television — not what I’d call prestige television, despite a modicum of well-done fright effects — just ordinary, workman-like TV, with monsters.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

However, until 2016, when Carpenter first toured with his music, he was consumed with stage fright.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Poots, her nose raw and red, her character kicked when she’s down, gamely looks a fright, trusting that moral fiber will expose Hedda’s ugly insecurities.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The star was also in a constant battle with stage fright—a startling admission for a larger-than-life performer with a reputation for spooky, unnerving antics.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

What used to fuel her stage fright, she says, was her belief that there was a right way and a wrong way to perform.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• consternation 
• dismay 
• horror 
• panic 
• trepidation