petrify
C1Formal / Neutral
Definition
Meaning
To turn into stone, or to make someone so frightened that they are unable to move or think.
To cause something to become rigid, lifeless, or unchanging, as if turned to stone; to paralyze with fear, astonishment, or awe.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The primary, literal meaning ('to turn to stone') is chiefly technical (geology, mythology). The figurative meaning ('to paralyze with fear') is the dominant usage in modern general English.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in core meaning or usage.
Connotations
Both varieties heavily favour the figurative 'frighten' meaning. The literal geological sense is equally technical in both.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in British English according to some corpora, but common in both.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[S] petrify [O][S] be/get petrified of [O][S] be/get petrified that clauseVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “(be) scared stiff (related in meaning)”
- “frozen with fear (related in meaning)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rarely used. 'The market uncertainty petrified investors into inaction.'
Academic
Used in geology/archaeology (literal), and psychology/sociology (figurative, e.g., 'petrified by social anxiety').
Everyday
Very common in the figurative sense: 'I'm petrified of spiders.' / 'She was petrified during the horror film.'
Technical
Geology: Describing the process of permineralisation to create fossils (petrified wood).
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The sudden noise in the empty house petrified her.
- The volcanic ash can petrify organic material over centuries.
American English
- The thought of public speaking petrifies him.
- These conditions are perfect for minerals to petrify wood.
adverb
British English
- (No standard adverb form. 'Petrifyingly' is very rare and non-standard.)
American English
- (No standard adverb form.)
adjective
British English
- She stood, petrified, as the figure approached.
- They explored the trail through the petrified forest.
American English
- He was absolutely petrified of failing the exam.
- We saw amazing petrified logs at the national park.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The loud thunder petrified the little dog.
- I am petrified of big dogs.
- She was completely petrified when she saw the snake.
- The museum had a piece of petrified wood.
- The sheer drop from the cliff edge petrified even the experienced climbers.
- Ancient organisms can be preserved as petrified fossils.
- The authoritarian regime sought to petrify societal structures, preventing any form of change.
- He was petrified into immobility by the accusing gaze of the crowd.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'PETR' (like in 'petrol', from Latin 'petra' for rock/stone) + 'IFY' (to make). So, 'to make into stone' – either literally or metaphorically, frozen stiff like a rock.
Conceptual Metaphor
FEAR IS A SOLIDIFIER / PARALYSING AGENT (It turns a living, moving person into a static, stone-like state).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'пугать' (to scare). 'Petrify' implies an extreme, paralyzing fear.
- Not related to 'окаменеть' in the sense of being stunned/surprised without fear. The core element is terror.
Common Mistakes
- Using it for mild fear (use 'scared'). Confusing spelling: *petrafy, *petrefy. Using the adjective 'petrified' without the required intensity: 'I'm a bit petrified' is contradictory.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'petrify' used in its original, literal sense?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, its original meaning is 'to turn to stone' (geology/mythology). However, the 'paralyzing fear' meaning is far more common in everyday language.
Both mean to cause extreme fear. 'Petrify' strongly implies a physical or mental paralysis, an inability to move or react, making it more intense and specific.
Yes. 'Petrified wood' is a common phrase. It can also describe a state of rigidity or lack of change in abstract things: 'petrified traditions'.
Yes. 'Petrified by' often introduces the direct cause ('petrified by the sound'). 'Petrified of' is used for general fears ('petrified of heights').