fright

Everyday

1. A fright is a sudden feeling of fear: you gave me a fright. tree →
2. A fright is something that makes you suddenly afraid. tree →
3. Stage fright is the fear some people feel before performing in front of an audience. tree →
4. Old use: someone who looks very untidy or strange: I look a fright. tree →

In the lessons

In stories, sudden frights build suspense (a door slams, a shadow moves). In science (the body), a fright causes a rush of adrenaline: faster heartbeat, jumping, gasping. In everyday life: Halloween frights; playing jokes that give people a fright is not fun if it upsets them; stage fright before school plays is normal and gets better with practice and deep breathing. Phrases: give someone a fright, get a fright, take fright, stage fright, nearly died of fright.

Examples

• You gave me a fright jumping out like that! tree →
• I got a fright when the thunder crashed. tree →
• The horse took fright and galloped away. tree →
• Many actors get stage fright. tree →
• My heart was pounding with fright. tree →
• Don't give the baby a fright with loud noises. tree →
• He was pale, and trembling with fright. tree →

Note

Countable: frights. Adjective: frightened (feeling fear), frightening (causing fear); verb: frighten. Not the same as «freight» (goods carried by trucks, ships or trains), which sounds different: «frayt».