French word

terreur

Pronunciation

IPA/tɛʁœʁ/

Meaning

  • feminine nounterror

Example

La terreur se lisait sur son visage.

Terror was visible on his face.

Illustration for terreur (terror)

More examples

Elle a crié de terreur quand la porte a claqué.

She screamed in terror when the door slammed.

Core concept

A wave of fear so powerful that the body seems locked in place.

Common phrases

  • être plongé dans la terreur

    be plunged into terror

  • faire naître la terreur

    give rise to terror

  • sentir la terreur

    feel terror

Similar words

peur: A general fear of danger or worry that prompts self-protection.
angoisse: Persistent, overwhelming anxiety that causes deep emotional distress.
frayeur: A sudden, intense fright caused by an unexpected shock.
panique: A sudden fear that causes frantic confusion and loss of composure.

Definition in French

Sentiment de peur très intense qui paralyse parfois et se manifeste par des réactions physiques.

Word origin

French terreur comes from Latin terror, a noun related to terrere, 'to frighten', through Old French terreor.

Usage tips

  • Terreur is much stronger and more dramatic than peur; ordinary fear is usually expressed with avoir peur.

Other meanings

  • fearnoun

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word