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
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Origin of FRIGHT

Middle English, from Old English fyrhto, fryhto; akin to Old High German forhta fear
First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to FRIGHT

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[1] 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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