What does paralysed mean?
Word: Paralysed
Part of Speech: Adjective
Meaning: Paralysed means unable to move all or part of the body, because of an injury or illness. It is also used when fear or shock stops someone from moving or acting.
Synonyms: frozen, immobile
Antonyms: active, mobile
How do you spell paralysed?
Syllables: par - a - lysed
Tricky part: British English spells it -lysed, with a y and an s. Students write paralised, with an i.
Watch out for: paralised, paralysd
Memory tip: Think of analysed, another British -lysed word: the y and the s stay in this word too.
Paralysed in a sentence
Example 1: The snowstorm paralysed traffic across the hill town for two days.
Example 2: The kitten sat paralysed with surprise when the balloon burst.
Example 3: A power cut paralysed the metro for an hour during the morning rush.
Fun Fact
British English spells it paralysed and American English paralyzed. Both come from the Greek paralusis, which meant a loosening or weakening of the body.
Practise the CREST Way
Spell Spies
Choose the incorrectly spelt word:
a) embarrassed
b) marooned
c) carried
d) parralysed
Show answer
d) parralysed. There is only one r after pa; embarrassed and carried really do have rr.
Word Puzzle
Match each word with the word closest in meaning:
1. paralysed 2. weary 3. furious a. very angry b. tired c. motionless
a) 1-b, 2-c, 3-a
b) 1-c, 2-b, 3-a
c) 1-c, 2-a, 3-b
d) 1-a, 2-b, 3-c
Show answer
b) 1-c, 2-b, 3-a. A paralysed arm is motionless, a weary runner is tired, and a furious neighbour is very angry.
Jumble Tumble
Choose the correct sequence of the jumbled letters to form a meaningful word:
123456789 ysadeprla
a) 637981524
b) 637981245
c) 974253861
d) 637981254
Show answer
d) 637981254. In the key the a's at 3 and 9 fill the second and fourth places; the other codes put s, e and d in the wrong order at the end.
Word Tally
Each correctly spelt word earns 3 marks. How many marks does this list earn?
paralysed, exhausted, astonished, puzzeled, nervus
a) 15
b) 12
c) 6
d) 9
Show answer
d) 9. Puzzled has no e before the d and nervous needs ou, so only the first three words score: 3 x 3 = 9.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. A singer paralysed by stage fright would most likely ___.
a) bow and wave happily
b) dance across the stage
c) sing louder than usual
d) freeze and say nothing
Show answer
d) freeze and say nothing
2. What could leave a city's buses paralysed?
a) a quiet public holiday
b) a bright sunny morning
c) a strike by bus drivers
d) a cricket final on TV
Show answer
c) a strike by bus drivers
