Basic Details
Word: Terrified
Part of Speech: Adjective
Meaning: So frightened that you can hardly think or move; far more than just a little scared.
Synonyms: frightened, scared, petrified
Antonyms: calm, fearless, unafraid
How to Spell Terrified
Syllables: ter - ri - fied
Tricky part: Students drop one of the two r's or keep the y of terrify (terrifyed). The y must change to i before ed.
Watch out for: terified, terrifyed, terrafied
Memory tip: Terror has two r's and so does terrified. Then treat terrify like carry: carry becomes carried, terrify becomes terrified.
Usage Examples
Example 1: Meera was terrified when the lift stopped between two floors.
Example 2: The goats were terrified of the leopard's smell and would not leave the shed.
Example 3: I was terrified before my first stage speech, but my voice held steady.
Fun Fact
Terrified goes back to the Latin verb terrere, to frighten, which also gave English the words terror and deter.
Practise the CREST Way
Word Connection
Choose the antonym of the word terrified as it is used in the sentence:
The kitten was terrified of the crackers on Diwali night and hid under the bed until morning.
a) petrified
b) calm
c) panicky
d) alarmed
Show answer
b) calm. Petrified, alarmed and panicky all describe fear; only calm is its opposite.
Word Cookie
Insert the correct pair of letters to complete the word:
te_rif_ed
a) r, y
b) r, i
c) e, i
d) r, e
Show answer
b) r, i. Two r's as in terror, and the y of terrify has already turned into i.
Spell-o-Spell
Read the four words. Choose the meaning of the only correctly spelt word:
1. temprature 2. terrestial 3. terrified 4. tremendus
a) relating to the earth or to land
b) how hot or cold something is
c) very great in size or amount
d) very badly frightened
Show answer
d) very badly frightened. Tremendous, temperature and terrestrial have each lost a letter, which leaves terrified as the one correct word.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. Terrified is a much stronger way of saying ____.
a) scared
b) tired
c) angry
d) surprised
Show answer
a) scared
2. Which of these would leave most small children terrified?
a) a snarling dog at the gate
b) a soft woollen blanket
c) a quiet bedtime story
d) a plate of warm parathas
Show answer
a) a snarling dog at the gate
