French Conversation · Level 80
60 words
French word
effrayé
Pronunciation
IPA/efʁɛje/
Meaning
- adjectivescared
Example
Les enfants sont effrayés par le tonnerre.
The children are scared of thunder.
More examples
Il était effrayé à l'idée de parler en public.
He was afraid at the thought of speaking in public.
Core concept
A person caught in a brief alarm, with tense features and attention fixed on a threat.
Common phrases
effrayé à l'idée de
afraid at the thought of ___
paraître effrayé
look frightened
Similar words
apeuré: Suddenly frightened, with an instinctive tendency to flinch or shrink back.
terrifié: Overwhelmed by very intense fear, to the point of feeling frozen.
paniqué: So frightened or shocked that composure is lost and actions become hurried.
inquiet: Worried and restless about what may happen or about a difficult situation.
Definition in French
Qualifie une personne qui ressent de la peur à un moment donné, généralement de façon passagère.
Word origin
Effrayé is the past participle of effrayer, a verb descended from Old French esfreer, and its adjective use names the resulting state.
Usage tips
- Effrayé agrees with the person described, as in effrayée for a feminine singular subject, and the usual pattern is être effrayé par something.