Horrified

ˈhɒrɪfaɪd

adjectivemediumCommonGeneral

Definitions

1

Filled with horror; experiencing extreme fear, shock, or disgust.

ˈhɒrɪfaɪd

adjectivenegativemedium
General

Feeling or showing extreme shock, fear, or disgust.

The children were horrified by the spooky mask.

💡 Simply: Imagine you see something really, really scary or disgusting – like finding a spider in your cereal! You'd be horrified, meaning you'd feel super shocked and upset.

👶 For kids: Feeling very scared or shocked by something bad.

More Examples

2

I was horrified when I realized I had forgotten my passport.

3

She was horrified to learn of the damage to her car.

How It's Used

General

"She was horrified by the news of the accident."

Literature

"The protagonist was horrified at the sight before them."

From Latin *horrēre* 'to bristle, shudder' (related to 'horror') + -ified (suffix indicating a state or condition).

The word's usage has remained relatively consistent, describing strong negative emotional responses since its widespread adoption.

Memory tip

Think of a horror movie and your reaction to it. You are horrified!

horrifedhorrifidehorrifyed

Usage

60%Spoken
40%Written