First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
1fright
noun \ˈfrīt\
: fear caused by sudden danger : sudden fear
: a feeling of sudden fear
: something that looks strange, shocking, ugly, etc.
Full Definition of FRIGHT
1
: fear excited by sudden danger : alarm <gave me quite a fright>
2
: something strange, ugly, or shocking
See fright defined for English-language learners
See fright defined for kids
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Origin of FRIGHT
Middle English, from Old English fyrhto, fryhto; akin to Old High German forhta fear
Synonym Discussion of FRIGHT
fear, dread, fright, alarm, panic, terror, trepidation mean painful agitation in the presence or anticipation of danger. fear is the most general term and implies anxiety and usually loss of courage <fear of the unknown>. dread usually adds the idea of intense reluctance to face or meet a person or situation and suggests aversion as well as anxiety <faced the meeting with dread>. fright implies the shock of sudden, startling fear <fright at being awakened suddenly>. alarm suggests a sudden and intense awareness of immediate danger <view the situation with alarm>. panic implies unreasoning and overmastering fear causing hysterical activity <the news caused widespread panic>. terror implies the most extreme degree of fear <immobilized with terror>. trepidation adds to dread the implications of timidity, trembling, and hesitation <raised the subject with trepidation>.
2fright
verb
Definition of FRIGHT
transitive verb
: to alarm suddenly : frighten
First Known Use of FRIGHT
before 12th century
FRIGHT Defined for Kids
fright
noun \ˈfrīt\
Definition of FRIGHT for Kids
1
: sudden terror : great fear
2
: something that frightens or is ugly or shocking <You look a fright! What happened?>
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