scared

[ skaird ]

adjective

1. filled with fear, terror, or dread, often suddenly; frightened; alarmed:

   The doctor provided not only physical treatment but also moral guidance for scared patients with terminal diagnoses.

   I came into college as a scared freshman and left as a confident, competent adult.

verb

1. the simple past tense and past participle of scare.

Other Words From

• un·scared adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of scared¹

scare ( def ) + -ed ²( def )

Example Sentences

“They really are scared,” toxicologist Dan Costa, who retired from EPA in 2018, says of the agency researchers he’s in touch with.

From Science Magazine

A neighbour said she heard two blistering rows, involving one in which a woman "sounded scared", days before Ms Brella's body was found.

From BBC

Aren’t you scared to death by what this bully is doing?! — has got to stop.

From Salon

She was asked by a campmate if she was scared making the social media post.

From BBC

A Welsh farmer has had sleepless nights and been left feeling "angry and scared" since changes to inheritance tax rules were announced.

From BBC

Related Words

• afraid
• anxious
• fearful
• panicked
• panicky
• startled