B2verb1K

Scare

UK /["/skeə(r)/","/skeəz/","/skeəd/","/ˈskeərɪŋ/"]/US /["/sker/","/skerz/","/skerd/","/ˈskerɪŋ/"]/

Definition

to frighten somebody

In simple words: to make someone feel afraid

Examples

  • You scared me.
  • It scared me to think I was alone in the building.
  • The very thought of flying scares me stiff.
  • You don't scare me with your threats!
  • He doesn't scare easily.
  • You scared the life out of me coming in so suddenly like that.
  • Spiders frighten him to death.

Usage notes

Use 'scare' in contexts where someone is frightened. It can be informal in casual conversations but remains neutral overall. Avoid using it in formal writing.

Grammar pattern

scare + object

Memory hint

Think of a 'scary bear' that makes you feel afraid.

Collocations

  • really
  • easily
  • away
  • try to
  • want to
  • start to
  • into
  • with
  • scare somebody silly
  • scare somebody stiff
  • scare somebody to death
  • really
  • easily
  • away
  • try to
  • want to
  • start to
  • into
  • with
  • scare somebody silly
  • scare somebody stiff
  • scare somebody to death

Synonyms

  • frighten
  • alarm
  • terrify
  • startle
  • spook

Antonyms

  • calm
  • comfort
  • soothe

Common mistakes

  • Using 'scare' without an object, e.g., 'scare me' instead of 'scare me with a story'.
  • Confusing 'scare' with 'scared', where 'scared' describes a state of fear rather than the action of causing fear.
  • Mispronouncing it as 'scar' instead of 'scare'.