Cool MateFrighten vs Scare
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Frighten
Top 1,000 (very common)B1verb
Scare
Top 1,000 (very common)B2verb
| Frighten | Scare | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈfraɪtn/","/ˈfraɪtnz/","/ˈfraɪtnd/","/ˈfraɪtnɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈfraɪtn/","/ˈfraɪtnz/","/ˈfraɪtnd/","/ˈfraɪtnɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/skeə(r)/","/skeəz/","/skeəd/","/ˈskeərɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/sker/","/skerz/","/skerd/","/ˈskerɪŋ/"]/ |
| Meaning | To make someone feel scared. | to make someone feel afraid |
| Example | The loud thunder frightened the children during the storm. | You scared me. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | B1 | B2 |
| Part of speech | verb | verb |
| Collocations | really, almost, easily, want to, not mean to, try to, frighten somebody to death, frighten the life out of somebody | 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 |
| Antonyms | calm, reassure, comfort | calm, comfort, soothe |
| Common mistakes | Using 'frighten' as a noun (should be used as a verb)., Confusing 'frighten' with 'scare' (though similar, 'frighten' can imply a stronger emotional reaction)., Incorrectly alternating between 'frightened' and 'frightening' without understanding the context. | 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'. |
| Usage notes | Commonly used when describing causing fear. Suitable in both written and spoken English but more prevalent in storytelling or when discussing emotional reactions. | 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. |
Frequently asked questions: Frighten vs Scare
What's the difference between Frighten and Scare?
Frighten: To make someone feel scared. Scare: to make someone feel afraid
Which is more advanced: Frighten and Scare?
Scare is the highest level, at B2, on the CEFR scale.
Are Frighten and Scare the same CEFR level?
Frighten: B1, Scare: B2 on the CEFR scale.
What part of speech are Frighten and Scare?
Frighten: verb, Scare: verb.
Can you show an example of each?
Frighten: The loud thunder frightened the children during the storm. Scare: You scared me.
Can I use Frighten and Scare interchangeably?
Not always. Frighten and Scare are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.