What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
frighten
Example
The loud noise frightened the cat. [frightened: verb]
Example
I'm easily frightened by horror movies. [frightened: adjective]
terrify
Example
The thought of being trapped in an elevator terrifies me. [terrifies: verb]
Example
The movie was so terrifying that I had nightmares for days. [terrifying: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Frighten is more commonly used than terrify in everyday language. Frighten is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while terrify is less common and is often reserved for more extreme situations.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between frighten and terrify?
Both frighten and terrify can be used in formal and informal contexts, but terrify may be considered more formal due to its intensity and less common usage.
