Cool MateFrighten vs Terrify
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Frighten
Top 1,000 (very common)B1verb
Terrify
Top 3,000 (common)B2verb
Most common: Frighten
| Frighten | Terrify | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈfraɪtn/","/ˈfraɪtnz/","/ˈfraɪtnd/","/ˈfraɪtnɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈfraɪtn/","/ˈfraɪtnz/","/ˈfraɪtnd/","/ˈfraɪtnɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈterɪfaɪ/","/ˈterɪfaɪz/","/ˈterɪfaɪd/","/ˈterɪfaɪɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈterɪfaɪ/","/ˈterɪfaɪz/","/ˈterɪfaɪd/","/ˈterɪfaɪɪŋ/"]/ |
| Meaning | To make someone feel scared. | To make someone very scared. |
| Example | The loud thunder frightened the children during the storm. | Flying terrifies her. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 3,000 (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 | terrify a child, terrify someone, terrify with a story |
| Antonyms | calm, reassure, comfort | calm, comfort, reassure |
| 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. | Confused with 'scare' which is more casual., Wrongly used in passive voice without context (e.g., 'was terrified them')., Using it in past tense incorrectly without context (e.g., 'terrifed'). |
| 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 'terrify' when describing extreme fear. It's appropriate for storytelling or describing scary situations but less common in casual conversation. Avoid using with light-hearted topics. |
Frequently asked questions: Frighten vs Terrify
What's the difference between Frighten and Terrify?
Frighten: To make someone feel scared. Terrify: To make someone very scared.
Which is more common: Frighten and Terrify?
Frighten is the most common in everyday English.
Which is more advanced: Frighten and Terrify?
Terrify is the highest level, at B2, on the CEFR scale.
Are Frighten and Terrify the same CEFR level?
Frighten: B1, Terrify: B2 on the CEFR scale.
What part of speech are Frighten and Terrify?
Frighten: verb, Terrify: verb.
Can you show an example of each?
Frighten: The loud thunder frightened the children during the storm. Terrify: Flying terrifies her.
Can I use Frighten and Terrify interchangeably?
Not always. Frighten and Terrify 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.