How Do You Spell TERRIFY?

Pronunciation: [tˈɛɹɪfˌa͡ɪ] (IPA)

The word "terrify" is spelled with two Rs and one F. This is because it is pronounced with the stress on the second syllable, and the first syllable has a short "e" sound, represented in IPA phonetic transcription as /ˈtɛr/. The second syllable has a long "i" sound, represented as /aɪ/, and the final syllable has a short "i" sound, represented as /fɪ/. With its fearful meaning, the spelling of "terrify" matches its effect on many people.

TERRIFY Meaning and Definition

  1. Terrify is a verb that refers to the action of causing extreme fear, dread, or horror in someone or something. It denotes a state of intense and overwhelming fear induced by a particular stimulus or event. When one is terrified, they experience a deep, paralyzing fright that can be mentally and physically distressing.

    To terrify implies an ability to induce terror or extreme fear in others, often intentionally or through the impact of certain circumstances. It is the act of creating a distressing atmosphere or presenting a shocking situation that leads to a sense of unease or alarm. The emotion of terror that arises from being terrified is characterized by a sense of helplessness and vulnerability in the face of imminent danger or a perceived threat.

    The intensity of terror caused by something that terrifies may vary depending on individual susceptibility, life experiences, and personal fears or phobias. Terrifying experiences or situations can trigger a range of emotions, such as panic, anxiety, and the instinctual fight-or-flight response. People or creatures can be terrified by a variety of factors, including horror movies, traumatic events, dangerous encounters, or the perception of imminent harm.

    Overall, to terrify involves evoking extreme fear or horror in others, leaving them psychologically and emotionally disturbed by the intensity of their frightful experience.

  2. To excite great fear or dread in; to alarm or shock with fear.

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

Common Misspellings for TERRIFY

Etymology of TERRIFY

The word "terrify" originated from the Latin word "terrere", which means "to frighten, to inspire fear". The Latin word "terrere" is believed to have derived from an even older Proto-Indo-European root "tre-", which conveys the meaning of "to tremble". Over time, "terrify" developed in Middle English around the 15th century, keeping its core meaning of causing intense fear or terror.

Idioms with the word TERRIFY

  • terrify or an animal out of The phrase "terrify an animal out of" means to frighten or scare an animal to the extent that it flees or runs away in immediate reaction to the fear. It suggests the animal's instinctive flight response due to being deeply terrified or overwhelmed.
  • terrify sm or an animal out of sth The idiom "terrify someone or an animal out of something" means to cause extreme fear or panic in someone or an animal to the extent that they abandon or flee from a particular situation, place, or thing. It describes the act of inducing such strong terror that it compels the person or animal to leave or avoid something.
  • terrify sm into sth The idiom "terrify someone into something" means to cause someone to feel extreme fear or fright, leading them to take a specific action or behave in a certain way.

Similar spelling words for TERRIFY

Conjugate verb Terrify

CONDITIONAL PERFECT

I would have terrified
you would have terrified
he/she/it would have terrified
we would have terrified
they would have terrified
I would have terrify
you would have terrify
he/she/it would have terrify
we would have terrify
they would have terrify

CONDITIONAL PERFECT PROGRESSIVE

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

CONDITIONAL PRESENT

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

CONDITIONAL PRESENT PROGRESSIVE

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

FUTURE

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

FUTURE CONTINUOUS

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

FUTURE PERFECT

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

FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS

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

IMPERATIVE

you terrify
we let´s terrify

NONFINITE VERB FORMS

to terrify

PAST CONTINUOUS

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

PAST PARTICIPLE

terrified

PAST PERFECT

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

PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS

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

PRESENT

I terrify
you terrify
he/she/it terrifies
we terrify
they terrify

PRESENT CONTINUOUS

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

PRESENT PARTICIPLE

terrifying

PRESENT PERFECT

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

PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS

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

PRESENT SUBJUNCTIVE

he/she/it terrify

SIMPLE PAST

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

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