How Do You Spell FRIGHTEN?

Pronunciation: [fɹˈa͡ɪtən] (IPA)

The word "frighten" is spelled with a combination of letters that correspond to a particular sound in the English language. The IPA phonetic transcription for "frighten" is /ˈfraɪtn/. The "f" is pronounced with the sound /f/, the "r" is pronounced with the sound /r/, the "i" is pronounced with the sound /aɪ/, the "g" is pronounced with the sound /ɡ/, the "h" is silent, the "t" is pronounced with the sound /t/, and the "e" is pronounced with the sound /n/. Together, these sounds form the word "frighten" which means to inspire fear or dread in someone.

Meaning and Definition
Top Common Misspellings
Other Common Misspellings
Etymology
Idioms
Similar spelling words
Conjugate verb
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FRIGHTEN Meaning and Definition

  1. Frighten is a transitive verb that refers to the act of instilling fear or causing someone to become scared or apprehensive. It is often used to describe the action of deliberately making another person or animal feel frightened or alarmed. Frightening someone generally involves creating a sense of terror, panic, or unease by means of threats, loud noises, sudden or unexpected movements, disturbing images, or other alarming stimuli.

    When someone or something frightens another, it elicits a strong emotional response from the fearful individual, often accompanied by physical reactions such as an increased heart rate, trembling, sweating, or a desire to flee or hide. Frightening experiences can have a temporary or long-lasting impact on a person's psychological well-being, potentially leading to anxiety, nightmares, avoidance behaviors, or even post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in severe cases.

    Frighten can also be used in a broader sense to describe situations, events, or circumstances that cause general apprehension, concern, or worry. For instance, news of an impending natural disaster or a highly contagious disease outbreak may frighten people, arousing a state of apprehension and concern about their safety and well-being.

    Overall, frighten represents the act of inducing fear or alarm in others, whether through intentional actions targeted at individuals or by presenting situations that engender widespread unease and anxiety.

  2. To alarm suddenly; to terrify; to dismay.

    Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Top Common Misspellings for FRIGHTEN *

* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.

Other Common Misspellings for FRIGHTEN

Etymology of FRIGHTEN

The word "frighten" has Middle English origins, derived from the Old English word "fyrhtan". "Fyrhtan" itself is believed to come from the Proto-Germanic word "furhtijan", which means "to be afraid". This Proto-Germanic word has further roots in the Proto-Indo-European base "*perk(w)-", meaning to be startled or afraid. Over time, "fyrhtan" evolved into "frighten" in Middle English, maintaining its original meaning of causing fear or alarm.

Idioms with the word FRIGHTEN

  • scare/frighten the life out of sb The idiom "scare/frighten the life out of sb" means to cause someone extreme fear, panic, or shock. It implies that a person's fear is so intense that it feels as if their life is being momentarily taken away or their breath is being taken from them.
  • annoy, frighten, scare, etc. the hell out of sb The idiom "annoy, frighten, scare, etc. the hell out of someone" means to cause someone extreme annoyance, fear, or terror. It implies that the person is greatly disturbed or alarmed by a particular situation or action. The use of "the hell" intensifies the emotion being experienced by the individual.
  • frighten to death The idiom "frighten to death" means to scare someone excessively or cause extreme fear and anxiety. It suggests that the level of fear experienced is so intense that it feels as if it could cause death or extreme harm to the person being frightened.
  • frighten into The idiom "frighten into" typically means to instill fear or terrify someone into a particular action or behavior. It refers to the act of making someone so afraid or scared that they are compelled to do something against their will.
  • frighten the life out of The idiom "frighten the life out of" means to scare someone severely or cause extreme fear. It suggests that the person is frightened to the point of feeling as though their life is in danger.
  • frighten the hell out of The idiom "frighten the hell out of" means to scare or terrify someone to an extreme degree. It suggests causing a person intense fear, shock, or alarm.
  • frighten the daylights out of The idiom "frighten the daylights out of" means to scare or startle someone to a great extent. It emphasizes the ability to instill intense fear or terror in someone.
  • frighten out of wits The idiom "frighten out of wits" refers to the act of scaring someone to the point where they are extremely frightened or terrified. It suggests that the fear is so intense that it affects the person's ability to think clearly or rationally.
  • frighten one out of wits The idiom "frighten one out of wits" means to scare or startle someone so intensely that it causes extreme fear, panic, or shock, often to the point of momentarily losing one's sense of reason or mental stability.
  • frighten away The idiom "frighten away" means to scare or intimidate someone or something to the point that they leave or run away. It refers to the act of creating fear or terror that causes someone or something to retreat or seek safety.
  • frighten/scare the hell out of sb The idiom "frighten/scare the hell out of someone" means to greatly terrify or intimidate someone, causing them intense fear or shock. It emphasizes the extreme impact of the frightening or scary experience, suggesting that it is so intense that it feels like it is extracting the very essence of fear from them.
  • frighten the hell out of sm The idiom "frighten the hell out of someone" means to scare or startle someone to an extreme degree. It implies causing intense fear or terror in the person, leaving them extremely frightened or startled.
  • frighten one out of one's wits The idiom "frighten one out of one's wits" means to scare someone severely or intensely, causing them to become extremely frightened or terrified. It implies that the person's fear is so intense that it affects their ability to think or reason clearly.
  • frighten/scare the life out of sb The idiom "frighten/scare the life out of sb" means to frighten or terrify someone to an extreme extent, causing them to become petrified or extremely anxious.
  • frighten/scare sb to death The idiom "frighten/scare someone to death" means to cause extreme fear or terror to someone, to the extent that it feels as though it could cause their death or a great deal of harm.
  • frighten sm (or an animal) into sth The idiom "frighten someone (or an animal) into something" means to cause intense fear or terror in someone or an animal, resulting in a specific action or behavior. It implies that the fear is so compelling that it compels the individual or animal to react in a certain way, often without thinking or considering alternatives.
  • frighten sm or sth away The idiom "frighten someone or something away" means to cause someone or something to become scared or fearful to the point of running or avoiding a particular situation or location. It implies that the fear or intimidation is so intense that it drives someone or something away.
  • frighten (sm or an animal) to death The idiom "frighten (someone or an animal) to death" means to scare or startle someone or an animal so severely that it causes extreme fear or panic. It implies that the fear is so intense that it feels as though it could potentially cause death.
  • frighten or scare to death The idiom "frighten or scare to death" refers to causing extreme fear or terror to someone, to the point where it feels as if it could potentially result in their death. It implies a level of intense fright that greatly surpasses the normal range of fear.
  • frighten the (living) daylights out of (someone) The idiom "frighten the (living) daylights out of (someone)" means to scare or terrify someone very intensely or to such an extent that they are filled with extreme fear. It implies causing someone to be frightened so much that it feels like the daylight has been literally drained out of them.
  • frighten the hell out of someone The idiom "frighten the hell out of someone" means to cause someone extreme fear or terror. It implies an intense level of fright or anxiety that can deeply affect the person's emotional state or well-being.
  • frighten (or scare) the (living) daylights out of The idiom "frighten (or scare) the (living) daylights out of" means to greatly scare or terrify someone. It implies causing extreme fear or shock to the point where it feels as if the person's "daylights" or vitality has been drained or thoroughly frightened away.
  • frighten (one) to death The idiom "frighten (one) to death" means to cause extreme fear or fright, to the point of being potentially fatal. It implies that something or someone has scared someone so much that they feel as if they might die due to the intensity of their fear.
  • frighten the shit out of (someone) The idiom "frighten the shit out of (someone)" is an informal expression used to describe a scenario where someone becomes extremely frightened or terrified to an intense degree. It emphasizes the idea of causing someone to experience a great amount of fear or terror, often to the point where it feels as though they have lost control or can no longer maintain composure. Note that the expression contains a vulgar term.
  • frighten the life out of someone The idiom "frighten the life out of someone" means to scare someone severely or greatly, causing them intense fear or terror.
  • frighten someone (or an animal) into something The idiom "frighten someone (or an animal) into something" means to deliberately make someone scared or nervous in order to pressure or persuade them to do something. It involves using fear or intimidation as a means of coercion or motivation to achieve a desired action or outcome.
  • frighten (someone or an animal) to death The idiom "frighten (someone or an animal) to death" means to terrify or scare someone or an animal so severely that it causes extreme fear or distress. It implies that the fear instilled is so intense that it may feel as if it could cause death or greatly harm someone's well-being.
  • frighten someone or something away The definition of the idiom "frighten someone or something away" is to scare or intimidate someone or something to the extent that they move or run off in order to avoid danger or escape from the source of fear.
  • frighten the horses The idiom "frighten the horses" means to do or say something that disturbs or upsets other people, typically by challenging traditional or conventional beliefs or actions. It refers to the idea of causing unrest or controversy that may disrupt the calm and stable environment.
  • frighten the hell out of (one) The idiom "frighten the hell out of (one)" means to cause extreme fear, terror, or intense panic in someone. It implies that the person is so terrified that it feels as if their soul or inner self is being greatly impacted or disturbed by the fear. It emphasizes the intensity and severity of the fright experienced.
  • frighten the life out of (one) The idiom "frighten the life out of (one)" means to terrify or scare someone intensely. It implies causing extreme fear or a strong emotional reaction that leaves the person feeling deeply frightened or traumatized.
  • frighten (someone or an animal) into doing something The idiom "frighten (someone or an animal) into doing something" means to scare or intimidate someone or an animal in order to make them behavior or act in a certain way, often out of fear or apprehension.
  • frighten/scare the (living) daylights out of sb The idiom "frighten/scare the (living) daylights out of sb" means to greatly frighten, terrify, or startle someone. It implies a level of fear or shock that is so intense that it feels as if one's "daylights" or essence is being forcefully expelled from the body.
  • frighten/scare sb out of their wits The idiom "frighten/scare someone out of their wits" means to cause someone to be extremely frightened or terrified. It implies that someone has experienced such intense fear that it affected their ability to think clearly or remain calm.
  • frighten (sm or an animal) into doing sth The idiom "frighten (someone or an animal) into doing something" means to scare or intimidate someone or an animal to the point where they are compelled or forced to take a particular action. It implies that fear is used as a technique to prompt the desired behavior.
  • frighten, scare, etc. the (living) daylights out of sb The idiom "frighten, scare, etc. the (living) daylights out of someone" means to terrify or startle someone intensely, often to the point of causing extreme fear or panic. It suggests that the person has been so thoroughly frightened that it feels as if their very essence or life force (their "daylights") has been temporarily forced out of them.
  • frighten into doing The idiom "frighten into doing" refers to the act of scaring or intimidating someone to compel or force them into doing something they would not do willingly or without fear. It suggests that fear or intimidation is being used as a motivating factor to elicit a desired action or behavior from an individual.
  • frighten/scare the wits out of sb, at frighten/scare sb out of their wits The idiom "frighten/scare the wits out of sb" or "frighten/scare sb out of their wits" means to frighten or scare someone to an extreme degree, causing them great fear or terror. It suggests that the person's fear is so intense that it seems to remove or temporarily suspend their ability to think logically or rationally (their wits). It emphasizes the extreme impact a frightening or terrifying experience can have on someone.
  • frighten sb out of their wits The idiom "frighten sb out of their wits" means to cause someone intense fear or terror, often resulting in them becoming extremely frightened or panicked.
  • frighten/scare somebody out of their ˈwits
  • frighten/scare the life out of somebody To cause extreme fear or terror in someone.
  • frighten/scare the (living) daylights out of somebody To cause extreme fear or terror in someone.
  • frighten/scare somebody to death To frighten or scare somebody to death means to cause extreme fear or anxiety in someone, to the point that they are extremely terrified or shaken.

Similar spelling words for FRIGHTEN

Conjugate verb Frighten

CONDITIONAL PERFECT

I would have frightened
you would have frightened
he/she/it would have frightened
we would have frightened
they would have frightened
I would have frighten
you would have frighten
he/she/it would have frighten
we would have frighten
they would have frighten

CONDITIONAL PERFECT PROGRESSIVE

I would have been frightening
you would have been frightening
he/she/it would have been frightening
we would have been frightening
they would have been frightening

CONDITIONAL PRESENT

I would frighten
you would frighten
he/she/it would frighten
we would frighten
they would frighten

CONDITIONAL PRESENT PROGRESSIVE

I would be frightening
you would be frightening
he/she/it would be frightening
we would be frightening
they would be frightening

FUTURE

I will frighten
you will frighten
he/she/it will frighten
we will frighten
they will frighten

FUTURE CONTINUOUS

I will be frightening
you will be frightening
he/she/it will be frightening
we will be frightening
they will be frightening

FUTURE PERFECT

I will have frightened
you will have frightened
he/she/it will have frightened
we will have frightened
they will have frightened

FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I will have been frightening
you will have been frightening
he/she/it will have been frightening
we will have been frightening
they will have been frightening

IMPERATIVE

you frighten
we let´s frighten

NONFINITE VERB FORMS

to frighten

PAST CONTINUOUS

I was frightening
you were frightening
he/she/it was frightening
we were frightening
they were frightening

PAST PARTICIPLE

frightened

PAST PERFECT

I had frightened
you had frightened
he/she/it had frightened
we had frightened
they had frightened

PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I had been frightening
you had been frightening
he/she/it had been frightening
we had been frightening
they had been frightening

PRESENT

I frighten
you frighten
he/she/it frightens
we frighten
they frighten

PRESENT CONTINUOUS

I am frightening
you are frightening
he/she/it is frightening
we are frightening
they are frightening

PRESENT PARTICIPLE

frightening

PRESENT PERFECT

I have frightened
you have frightened
he/she/it has frightened
we have frightened
they have frightened

PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I have been frightening
you have been frightening
he/she/it has been frightening
we have been frightening
they have been frightening

PRESENT SUBJUNCTIVE

he/she/it frighten

SIMPLE PAST

I frightened
you frightened
he/she/it frightened
we frightened
they frightened

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Correct spelling for frighten
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