Explanation at your level:
Being scared means you are afraid. You feel this when you see a big dog or a dark room. It is a bad feeling. You might want to run away. Are you scared of anything? It is okay to be scared sometimes!
When you are scared, you feel nervous or frightened. You might feel scared when you watch a scary movie or when you are alone at night. It is a common feeling for everyone, including children and adults.
The word scared describes the feeling of fear or anxiety. It is often used to explain why someone does not want to do something, such as 'I am scared to swim in the ocean'. It is a very useful word for expressing your personal comfort levels in different situations.
Being scared implies a reaction to a perceived threat or danger. While 'afraid' is similar, 'scared' is often used in more casual, everyday contexts. You might say you are 'scared of the consequences' of a decision, which shows how the word can apply to abstract concepts, not just physical dangers.
In advanced usage, scared can be used to describe a state of profound apprehension. It bridges the gap between simple fear and complex psychological anxiety. Writers often use it to characterize a character's internal vulnerability, showing how fear can influence decision-making and human behavior in high-stakes environments.
At a mastery level, scared functions as a fundamental descriptor of the human condition. It touches upon the etymological roots of 'scar'—the psychological imprint of fear. Whether discussing existential dread or the visceral reaction to a sudden threat, the word remains a potent tool for articulating the fragility of the human experience in both literary and academic discourse.
30초 단어
- Adjective meaning afraid.
- Used with 'of' or 'to'.
- Common in daily life.
- Synonym: afraid.
When you feel scared, your body and mind are reacting to something that makes you feel unsafe. It is a natural human emotion that acts like an alarm system for your brain.
You might feel scared of big things, like a thunderstorm, or small things, like a spider in the corner. It is a very common word used to describe that 'butterflies in the stomach' or 'racing heart' feeling we get when we are nervous or frightened.
The word scared comes from the Old Norse word 'skirra', which meant to frighten or scare away. It is closely related to the word 'scar', which originally carried a sense of a cut or a mark left by a traumatic event.
Over centuries, the term evolved in Middle English to describe the act of being startled or filled with fear. It is fascinating how a word that started as a way to describe a physical mark became a way to describe an internal feeling of dread.
We use scared in almost every daily situation, from casual chats to serious conversations. It is a versatile adjective that fits well in both formal and informal settings.
Commonly, you will hear people say they are 'scared of' something or 'scared to' do something. It is a very direct way to express your feelings without sounding overly dramatic or too academic.
1. Scared stiff: To be so frightened that you cannot move. Example: 'I was scared stiff when I saw the snake.' 2. Scared to death: To be extremely terrified. Example: 'She was scared to death of flying.' 3. Jump out of one's skin: To be suddenly scared. Example: 'The loud noise made me jump out of my skin.' 4. Scared witless: To be completely terrified. Example: 'The horror movie left the audience scared witless.' 5. Cold feet: To be scared or nervous about a commitment. Example: 'He got cold feet before the wedding.'
Scared is an adjective, so it usually follows a linking verb like 'be' or 'feel'. It is pronounced /skɛərd/ in both US and UK English, rhyming with 'shared' and 'paired'.
Remember that we often use the preposition 'of' or the infinitive 'to' after the word. For example, 'I am scared of spiders' or 'I am scared to go outside'.
Fun Fact
It shares roots with the word 'scar'.
Pronunciation Guide
Rhymes with 'paired'.
Rhymes with 'shared'.
Common Errors
- Pronouncing the 'r' too hard
- Adding an extra syllable
- Confusing 'scared' with 'scarred'
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
easy
easy
easy
easy
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
고급
Grammar to Know
Adjective usage
I am scared.
Infinitive patterns
Scared to go.
Prepositional phrases
Scared of dogs.
Examples by Level
I am scared.
I feel fear.
Subject + be + adjective.
The cat is scared.
The cat is afraid.
Noun + be + adjective.
Are you scared?
Do you feel fear?
Question form.
He is not scared.
He is brave.
Negative form.
I was scared yesterday.
Past feeling.
Past tense.
Don't be scared.
Be brave.
Imperative.
She feels scared.
She is afraid.
Verb + adjective.
We are scared now.
Current fear.
Simple present.
I am scared of dogs.
She is scared to jump.
They were scared by the noise.
Don't be scared of the dark.
He looked very scared.
I felt scared at the party.
Are you scared of spiders?
We are scared of the test.
I was scared that I might fail.
She is scared of losing her job.
He is scared to express his opinion.
They are scared of the future.
I am scared of heights.
Don't be scared to ask for help.
The dog was scared of the thunder.
We were scared by the sudden storm.
I was scared stiff by the horror movie.
She is scared of making a mistake.
He is scared to death of flying.
They are scared of the potential risks.
I am scared of what might happen.
Don't be scared to challenge yourself.
The child was scared by the clown.
We were scared of the consequences.
He was scared of the implications of his actions.
She felt scared of the unknown future.
I am scared of the possibility of failure.
They were scared of the shifting political climate.
He is scared of his own shadow.
The situation left everyone feeling scared.
I am scared of the pressure.
She was scared of the sudden change.
The protagonist was scared of his own mortality.
They were scared of the societal judgment.
I am scared of the depth of the problem.
She felt scared of the weight of responsibility.
He was scared of the silence.
The atmosphere was thick with a scared energy.
I am scared of the truth.
They were scared of the inevitable.
동의어
자주 쓰는 조합
Idioms & Expressions
"scared stiff"
Paralyzed by fear
I was scared stiff during the test.
casual"scared to death"
Extremely afraid
She is scared to death of snakes.
casual"jump out of your skin"
Be suddenly startled
The loud bang made me jump out of my skin.
casual"cold feet"
Afraid to commit
He got cold feet before the wedding.
idiomatic"scared witless"
Terrified
The storm had them scared witless.
casual"scared silly"
Very scared
The movie scared us silly.
casualEasily Confused
similar root
scary causes fear, scared feels fear
The movie is scary; I am scared.
similar spelling
scarred means having a mark
He is scarred from the accident.
same root
scare is a verb/noun
Don't scare me!
verb form
present participle
You are scaring me.
Sentence Patterns
Subject + be + scared + of + noun
I am scared of dogs.
Subject + be + scared + to + verb
I am scared to go.
Subject + be + scared + that + clause
I am scared that he knows.
Subject + get + scared + by + noun
I get scared by loud noises.
Subject + feel + scared + when + clause
I feel scared when it is dark.
어휘 가족
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
관련
How to Use It
9
Formality Scale
자주 하는 실수
Do not combine 'to' and 'of'.
Use 'of' for the object of fear.
Use stronger adjectives for intensity.
Use 'by' for the cause of fear.
Use 'of' to describe the source.
Tips
Memory Palace
Picture your bedroom and imagine being scared of a shadow.
Native Speakers
Use it to express your feelings.
Cultural Insight
Used in many horror stories.
Grammar Shortcut
Always use 'of' after scared.
Say It Right
Rhyme it with 'shared'.
Don't Make This Mistake
Don't say 'scared to of'.
Did You Know?
It relates to 'scar'.
Study Smart
Write 5 sentences about your fears.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Scared starts with 'S' like 'Spooky'.
Visual Association
A person hiding under a blanket.
Word Web
챌린지
Use the word in a sentence today.
어원
Old Norse
Original meaning: To frighten
문화적 맥락
None, but can be a sensitive topic for those with anxiety.
Used frequently in horror movie reviews and daily life.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
at school
- scared of the test
- scared to answer
at home
- scared of the dark
- scared of spiders
travel
- scared of flying
- scared of the height
movies
- scared by the scene
- scared stiff
Conversation Starters
"Are you scared of anything?"
"What was the last thing that scared you?"
"Do you like scary movies?"
"Why do people get scared?"
"Is it okay to be scared?"
Journal Prompts
Write about a time you were scared.
What is your biggest fear?
How do you overcome being scared?
Describe a scary moment.
자주 묻는 질문
8 질문Yes.
Only if you cause the fear.
Scare.
It is neutral.
Like 'shared'.
No, only people or animals.
Afraid.
Yes, very.
셀프 테스트
I am ___ of the dark.
Scared is the adjective for fear.
Which means the same as scared?
Afraid is a synonym.
Scared is a noun.
It is an adjective.
Word
뜻
They are synonyms.
Correct structure.
점수: /5
Summary
Scared is the most common way to express feeling afraid of something.
- Adjective meaning afraid.
- Used with 'of' or 'to'.
- Common in daily life.
- Synonym: afraid.
Memory Palace
Picture your bedroom and imagine being scared of a shadow.
Native Speakers
Use it to express your feelings.
Cultural Insight
Used in many horror stories.
Grammar Shortcut
Always use 'of' after scared.
예시
I am scared of big spiders.
Related Content
Emotions 관련 단어
frustrated
A1좌절감을 느끼는 것은 무언가를 이루지 못해서 짜증 나거나 실망하는 감정이에요. 일이 뜻대로 되지 않을 때 답답함을 느끼는 거죠.
antigrathood
C1The state, condition, or persistent quality of being ungrateful or actively resisting the expression of gratitude. It refers to a psychological or social disposition where an individual or group refuses to acknowledge the benefits or kindness received from others.
ashamed
A1To feel very bad or embarrassed because you have done something wrong, silly, or not good enough. It is the feeling of guilt or low self-esteem that comes after a mistake.
cheerful
A1항상 행복하고 긍정적인 사람을 말해요. 밝고 기분 좋은 분위기의 장소를 표현할 때도 쓰죠.
uncomfortable
A1Describes a physical feeling of slight pain or a mental feeling of being worried or shy. It is often used for things that are not soft or for situations that make you feel awkward.
desperate
B2상황이 너무 나빠서 희망이 없다고 느끼거나, 무언가를 간절히 원할 때 쓰는 말이야. 아주 절박한 상태를 뜻해.
unfortdom
C1Describing a state or condition characterized by an overwhelming and seemingly inescapable lack of luck or resilience. It is used to qualify situations or individuals trapped in a persistent cycle of misfortune or systemic disadvantage.
stirring
B1흥분이나 감탄 같은 강한 감정을 불러일으키는 것을 말해. 또는 어떤 감정이나 움직임의 시작을 뜻하기도 해.
furious
A1격노하는 것은 극도로 화가 난 상태를 말해요. 단순히 조금 화난 것보다 훨씬 강한 감정이죠.
broody
B2Describes someone who is deep in thought, often in a moody or melancholic way. It is also commonly used to describe someone who feels a strong, instinctive desire to have a baby or is acting in a maternal/paternal way.
