What is frightened? Pronunciation and usage in English

frightened means . Learn how to pronounce and use frightened through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of frightened

frightenedadjective

/ˈfrʌɪtnd/
Definition & pronunciation of frightened

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "frightened." It's a tricky one for many English learners! Here's a detailed breakdown:

1. Syllables:

The word "frightened" is typically divided into two syllables:

  • fright - (rhymes with "light")
  • ened - (rhymes with "tened")

2. Pronunciation Breakdown:

  • "fright":

    • "f" - Pronounced as in "fun" - /f/
    • "r" - Rolled "r". This is the most challenging part for many. To roll your 'r', try to vibrate your tongue against the roof of your mouth. You can practice this by saying "butter" or "red" repeatedly. If you can't roll your 'r' perfectly, it's okay – just make an 'r' sound as clearly as you can.
    • "ight" - Pronounced as in "light" - /aɪt/ (the "i" makes a short "i" sound like in "bit")

  • "ened":

    • "e" - Pronounced as in "bed" - /eɪ/ (a long "a" sound as in "say")
    • "n" - Pronounced as in “now” – /n/
    • "ed" - Pronounced as in “red” – /d/

3. Putting it Together:

So, the whole word is pronounced something like: /ˈfrɪtənd/

4. Tips and Hints:

  • Stress: The stress is on the first syllable ("fright").
  • Listen to Examples: The best way to learn is to hear it! Here are some resources:
    • Google Search: Search "how to pronounce frightened" on Google and listen to the audio results.
    • Forvo: https://forvo.com/word/frightened/ - This website has pronunciations by native speakers.
    • YouTube: Search for pronunciation videos on YouTube.

5. Common Mistakes:

  • Not rolling the "r": Many people skip the rolled "r," which changes the pronunciation significantly.
  • Saying "fr-ight-ened" as three separate words: Remember to link the syllables together smoothly.

Would you like me to:

  • Give you some phrases that include "frightened" so you can practice?
  • Focus on how to roll your 'r' better?

Usage and examples with the word frightened in English

Let's break down how to use the word "frightened" in English. It's a great word that expresses a strong feeling of fear, but it's often confused with "afraid." Here's a detailed explanation:

1. Basic Meaning: Feeling Fear

  • "Frightened" means experiencing a sudden, intense feeling of fear. It's a more immediate and visceral reaction than "afraid." Think of a sharp, startling experience that makes you jump.

2. Grammar & Forms

  • Adjective: "Frightened" is used as an adjective to describe people or things experiencing fear.

    • "The children were frightened by the loud thunder."
    • "He was a frightened animal, easily startled."

  • Past Participle: "Frightened" is also the past participle of the verb "to frighten." It's used with auxiliary verbs like "have," "has," and "had."

    • "She has been frightened by horror movies."
    • "They had been frightened into silence."

  • Verb (Past Tense): "Frightened" is the past tense of "to frighten."

    • "The loud noise frightened the cat."

3. Comparing "Frightened" to "Afraid"

This is crucial! Here's how they differ:

Feature Frightened Afraid
Intensity Stronger, more sudden, intense fear Mild, apprehensive fear
Trigger Often a shocking or startling event Can be caused by a range of things (possibilities, uncertainties)
Duration Usually shorter-lived Can linger for a longer period
Example "I was frightened by the spider!" "I was afraid of the dark as a child."

Think of it this way: You're frightened by something that startles you. You're afraid of something that’s a general worry or possibility.

4. Using "Frightened" in Sentences (Examples)

  • Describing a reaction: "The sudden crash frightened her so badly that she jumped out of her chair."
  • Describing a person’s state: "He looked frightened and uncertain."
  • Describing animals: "The puppy was frightened of the vacuum cleaner."
  • Figurative use (less common): You might use it more poetically to describe something causing a profound emotional shock. "The news frightened hope from their hearts."

5. Related Words

  • Fear: The abstract noun form.
  • Fearful: Adjective – tending to fear.
  • Terrified: (Often used interchangeably with frightened, but even stronger) – extremely frightened.
  • Alarmed: Feeling a sudden shock or concern.

To help me tailor the explanation even further, could you tell me:

  • Are you trying to use "frightened" in a specific context (e.g., writing a story, talking about a particular event)?
  • Do you want me to give you more examples of how to use it differently (e.g., in formal vs. informal language)?

Synonyms for the word frightened

Idioms of the word frightened

be frightened/nervous/scared of your own shadow
to be very easily frightened; to be very nervous
    be frightened/scared/terrified out of your wits
    to be very frightened; to frighten somebody very much
    • I was scared out of my wits!
    • The latest news has scared the wits out of investors.

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