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frightened

 adjective
     
fright‧ened S2
feeling afraid [= scared]:
Don't be frightened. We're not going to hurt you.
frightened of
I was frightened of being left by myself in the house.
Her father had an awful temper and she was always frightened of him.
frightened to do something
The boy was frightened to speak.
frightened that
She's frightened that her ex-husband will find her.
To tell the truth, I was frightened to death (=very frightened).
a frightened horse
! Do not confuse frightened, which describes a feeling, and frightening, which describes something that makes you feel frightened: a frightened child | a frightening experience
➔ see usage note fear1WORD CHOICE: WORD CHOICE:

fear, afraid, frightenedfear (noun) is the feeling of being afraid. Do not say that you 'have fear'. Use be afraid or be frightened • My whole body was paralysed with fear. • She was suddenly very afraid. • We were too frightened to speak.The verb to fear is used mainly in literature or newspapers, and not usually in speech • She feared that he would not be found alive. • Fearing more riots, the government made concessions.It is more usual to say that someone is afraid or is frightened • My parents are afraid that I'll get involved with drugs. • People were frightened of being mugged. ➔ See also fear
Definition from the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
Advanced Learner's Dictionary.
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