petrified
PET-ruh-fide
/ˈpɛt.rə.faɪd/
So frightened that one is unable to move, act, or think clearly; terrified.
Literally or metaphorically turned to stone by intense, sudden terror.
The story behind the word. In geology, petrification occurs when mineral deposits replace organic material over millions of years, turning wood into stone. Metaphorically, when fear strikes a person so intensely that their muscles lock and they freeze, English speakers described them as 'made into rock' or petrified.
Word relationships
- paralyzed: Paralyzed refers to physical inability to move, whereas petrified specifically ties paralysis to terror.
- terrified: Terrified describes extreme fear, but petrified adds the physical imagery of turning rigid like rock.
- fearless: Lacking all fear completely.
- unmoved: Remaining totally calm and unaffected by external threats.
Commonly confused with
- putrefied: Putrefied means rotted or decayed, stemming from a completely different Latin root.
Word family
- petrify (verb): To turn organic matter into stone, or to terrify someone immensely.
- petrifaction (noun): The process of turning into stone.
Collocations
- petrified with fear
- petrified of
- absolutely petrified
Idioms & expressions
- scared stiff
- frozen in fear
Example sentences
- "The child stood petrified in the middle of the dark alley as the shadow approached." Literature / Fiction
- "She was absolutely petrified at the prospect of addressing an audience of thousands." Public Speaking
Memory hook
Think of Petro or Petrol coming from rocks in the earth—PETRIFIED means turned to solid rock by fear. Turned to stone by sudden fright.
When not to use
Do not use for mild, lingering worries; petrified denotes extreme, paralyzing shock.
Fun facts
- Medusa in Greek mythology is the ultimate petrifier—anyone who looked into her eyes was instantly petrified!
Related words
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