scared
B1Common in both informal and formal contexts, but slightly more informal than 'afraid'.
Definition
Meaning
Feeling fear; frightened or alarmed.
Often implies a sudden, less rational, or more specific instance of fear, sometimes connoting a less controlled reaction than 'frightened' or 'afraid'.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Describes a temporary emotional state. Often used in the pattern 'scared of [something]' or 'scared to [do something]'. Can also describe a chronic state of fear about something specific.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is very similar. In informal American speech, 'scared' is extremely common, sometimes more so than 'afraid'.
Connotations
In both, it can sound slightly more childlike or colloquial than 'afraid', but is not limited to such use. 'Scared stiff' and 'scared to death' are common idioms.
Frequency
Very high frequency in both varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
scared of [noun/gerund]scared to [infinitive]scared (that) [clause]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “scared stiff”
- “scared to death”
- “scared out of one's wits”
- “scaredy-cat”
- “run scared”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rarely used. More likely 'concerned', 'apprehensive', or 'worried about risks'.
Academic
Used in psychology/sociology to describe emotional states. 'Subjects reported feeling scared during the stimulus.'
Everyday
Extremely common: 'I'm scared of the dark.' 'Don't be scared.'
Technical
Not typically used in technical language outside of specific fields like psychology.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The sudden noise scared the living daylights out of them.
- You'll scare the birds away if you shout.
American English
- That horror movie really scared me.
- Don't let the barking dog scare you.
adverb
British English
- N/A - 'scared' is not used as a standard adverb. Use 'fearfully' or 'in a scared manner'.
American English
- N/A - 'scared' is not used as a standard adverb. Use 'fearfully' or 'in a scared way'.
adjective
British English
- She felt too scared to go into the old house alone.
- The scared kitten hid under the sofa.
American English
- He's scared of getting lost in the big city.
- You look scared—what happened?
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The little girl is scared of dogs.
- I'm scared! Hold my hand.
- Don't be scared, it's only a cat.
- He was too scared to tell the truth.
- Are you scared of flying?
- She got scared when she heard the strange noise.
- Despite being scared, he confronted the intruder.
- Investors are scared that the market might collapse.
- The government seems scared to make unpopular decisions.
- His bravado was just a facade for a deeply scared individual.
- Politicians, scared of a backlash, watered down the proposed legislation.
- She wasn't so much scared of failure as she was of never trying.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
A SCAR can make you SCARED. Think of seeing a scary scar – it makes you feel fear.
Conceptual Metaphor
FEAR IS A FORCE THAT MAKES YOU RETREAT (He was scared away). FEAR IS A CAPTOR (She was scared stiff/paralysed).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid using 'испуганный' for chronic, low-level fears; 'scared' is for a more immediate reaction. Don't confuse with 'scary' (страшный). The structure 'scared of doing' vs. 'scared to do' is subtle; 'of' is for the general thing, 'to' is for a specific action.
Common Mistakes
- Confusing 'scared' (adj.) with 'scary' (adj. = causing fear). Incorrect: 'The movie was very scared.' Correct: 'The movie was very scary.' / 'I was scared by the movie.' Incorrect preposition: 'scared from'. Correct: 'scared of' or 'scared by'.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following sentences uses 'scared' INCORRECTLY?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Scared' is very common, especially in informal speech. 'Afraid' is slightly more formal and often used in writing. 'Frightened' can sound slightly more literary or describe a more sudden shock. The differences are subtle and they are often interchangeable.
Both are correct but used differently. 'Scared of' describes a general fear: 'I'm scared of spiders.' 'Scared by' describes the cause of a specific instance of fear: 'I was scared by a loud bang last night.'
Yes, the base verb is 'to scare' (transitive). 'Scared' is its past tense and past participle. Example: 'The ghost story scared us.'
Both are correct. Use 'scared to' + infinitive for a specific action you fear doing: 'I'm scared to jump.' Use 'scared of' + noun/gerund for the general object of fear: 'I'm scared of heights' or 'I'm scared of jumping.'
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Emotions and Feelings
A2 · 33 words · Words to describe how you feel.
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