frightened

[ frahyt-nd ]

/ ˈfraɪt nd /

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adjective

thrown into a fright; afraid; scared; terrified: a frightened child cowering in the corner.

afraid; fearful (usually followed by of): He has always been frightened of heights.

QUIZ

THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?

Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.

Question 1 of 7

In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

Origin of frightened

First recorded in 1715–25; frighten + -ed²

2. See afraid.

fright·ened·ly, adverbun·fright·ened, adjectivewell-frightened, adjective

I remember vaguely half sobs and whispers from Miss Hisgins's bedroom, all the while that I stared frightenedly up the corridor.
Carnacki, The Ghost Finder|William Hope Hodgson
I turned my head stiffly over to the left, glancing frightenedly behind me, and flashing the light to help my eyes.
Carnacki, The Ghost Finder|William Hope Hodgson
"Go along with it peaceably," advised the Negro youth frightenedly.
The Enormous Room|Horace Leonard Gold
She looked frightenedly from her husband to me, then back to him again.
Rats in the Belfry|John York Cabot

The man dropped the rope and sprang back along the roof to tumble frightenedly into the cockpit.
The Adventure Club Afloat|Ralph Henry Barbour