terrify (v.)

1570s, from Latin terrificare "to frighten, make afraid," from terrificus "causing terror" (see terrific). Related: Terrified; terrifying.

Entries linking to terrify

terrific (adj.)

1660s, "frightening," from Latin terrificus "causing terror or fear, frightful," from terrere "fill with fear" (see terrible) + combining form of facere "to make" (from PIE root *dhe- "to set, put"). Weakened sensed of "very great, severe" (as in terrific headache) appeared 1809; inverted colloquial sense of "excellent" began 1888. Related: Terrifically.

Share terrify

‘cite’

Page URL:

https://www.etymonline.com/word/terrify

HTML Link:

<a href="https://www.etymonline.com/word/terrify">Etymology of terrify by etymonline</a>

APA style:

Harper, D. (n.d.). Etymology of terrify. Online Etymology Dictionary. Retrieved $(datetime), from https://www.etymonline.com/word/terrify

Chicago style:

Harper Douglas, “Etymology of terrify,” Online Etymology Dictionary, accessed $(datetime), https://www.etymonline.com/word/terrify.

MLA style:

Harper, Douglas. “Etymology of terrify.” Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com/word/terrify. Accessed $(datetimeMla).

IEEE style:

D. Harper. “Etymology of terrify.” Online Etymology Dictionary. https://www.etymonline.com/word/terrify (accessed $(datetime)).

Definitions of terrify

terrify (v.)

fill with terror; frighten greatly;

Synonyms: terrorize / terrorise

From wordnet.princeton.edu

Dictionary entries near terrify

terrestrial

terrible

terribly

terrier

terrific

terrify

terrine

territorial

territoriality

territory

terror