Scare meaning in English

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Definition

to scare (someone): to frighten, to terrify, to make someone feel afraid verb
The film really scared me.
to give somebody a scare: to frighten, to scare suddenly noun
to be scared (of something): to be afraid of, to fear (something) verb
I am scared of ghosts.
You look scared.
scary: frightening, causing fear, a person or situation that makes you feel afraid adjective
That film was very scary.

UK: Are you scared of spiders?
US: I saw a very scary horror film the other day.

Examples

  • "The possibility of a Brexit - an exit for Britain from the European Union - is very real, and frankly I'm scared."
  • "Nurse Baker : Are you scared of needles?"
  • "Joan Wayne attempted to scare the shark by firing at its dorsal fin, then challenged the shark to a duel, running into the water with pistols drawn."
  • "I'm scared of getting beaten up."
  • "Mrs. Brady drove on the wrong side of the road, and I was too scared to go surfing because they say there are a lot of monsters in Cornwall."
  • "Hogwash : Scared?"
  • "Bruno : No, you're scared?"
  • "Bruno : You can admit it, Harold, you were a bit scared."
  • "You are scaring them."
  • "It's not that I'm scared of committing to Betty, it's just that with my history I'm afraid it might be impossible."
  • "Eccentric interviewer, scared of mice"
  • "You look strange, you scare me."
  • "The world is full of people who are too scared to take chances."
  • "Musicians are scared of large..."
  • "Leonard : Your puppet doesn't scare me."
  • "No, I am scared for the people of this nation, and others across the planet."
  • "I don't doubt your talent, Mr. Hogwash, but perhaps the unique requirements of this project scare you?"
  • "and you never wore clothes, it was scary..."
Exercise 1
Jean tells Polly that he is afraid to leave. How else could he express this same idea?
Jean tells Polly that he is afraid to leave. How else could he express this same idea?
We say that one "is" scared (or fearful, or afraid) in English. We do not use the verb "have" to express being "afraid" or "scared".
Jean tells Polly "I am afraid". Another way to say this is "I am scared". To be afraid or scared is to be "frightened" or "fearful".
We say that one "is" scared (or fearful, or afraid) in English. We do not use the verb "have" to express being "afraid" or "scared". We usually say "I am scared" or "I am afraid".
"Fear" is a noun, and cannot be used as an adjective, as it is here. We might say "I am fearful (of big dogs)", although this is an uncommon construction. We usually say "I am scared" or "I am afraid".
Exercise 2
Moira asks Lance, "Aren't you scared?".
How else could she ask this question?

There may be more than one correct answer!
Moira asks Lance, "Aren't you scared?".
How else could she ask this question?

There may be more than one correct answer!
One is afraid (or fearful, or scared) in English. We don't use the verb "have" to express being "afraid" or "scared". We usually say "I am scared" or "I am afraid". The question "haven't you afraid?" is grammatically incorrect.
This is one way to ask this question correctly. "To be afraid" is to be scared or frightened.
One is scared (or fearful, or afraid) in English. We don't use the verb "have" to express being "afraid" or "scared". We usually say "I am scared" or "I am afraid". The question "haven't you scared?" is grammatically incorrect.
This is one way to ask this question correctly. "To be frightened" is to be scared or afraid.
Exercise 3
From the list below, choose the TRUE statements about the broadcast.

There may be more than one correct answer!
From the list below, choose the TRUE statements about the broadcast.

There may be more than one correct answer!
Icarus claims that his experience with his co-worker (Horatio) made him feel "frightened", which is synonymous with the term "scared".
Donna tells Icarus to "let it all out", which is an encouragement to express himself completely, without holding back. She then tells him that it's okay to cry if he needs to.
Donna advises Icarus to confront or face his co-worker (Horatio) in the future; not to avoid or ignore him.
Icarus tells Donna that he suffered a "panic attack", but not that he was attacked (physically) by a co-worker.
Exercise 4
Bruno writes that Frederick F. Fielding is "the most feared judge in California".

This means Frederick F. Fielding is:
Bruno writes that Frederick F. Fielding is "the most feared judge in California".

This means Frederick F. Fielding is:
This is incorrect. A powerful person may have power, authority, or influence. Powerful people are sometimes feared, but "powerful" and "feared" are not synonyms.
This is correct. If someone is "feared", it means that they are scary or make people feel frightened or afraid. Notice the difference in use between adjective and past participle: "I saw a scary horror film the other day and when I was watching it I was scared".
This is incorrect. If someone is respected it means they are regarded with honour or esteem. Someone who is feared could also be respected, but the two terms are not synonyms.
This is incorrect. If someone is volatile they are changeable and erratic. For example: "the singer of our rock group is extremely volatile - sometimes he doesn't feel like singing and we have to cancel our concerts at the last minute."
Exercise 5
Select the sentence(s) which use(s) the term "afraid" correctly.

There may be more than one correct answer!
Select the sentence(s) which use(s) the term "afraid" correctly.

There may be more than one correct answer!
This sentence uses the term "afraid" correctly. "To be afraid of something" is to be "frightened" or "scared of it". In the dialogue, Horatio says that "Americans... are afraid of beauty". Another example: "Don't be afraid, little boy. I just want to be your friend".
This is not correct. The term "afraid" can only be used to describe living beings, not films. We can describe horror films as "scary" or "frightening".
This is a correct use of the term "afraid". Here, the speaker is expressing their "regret", or saying that the situation is "unfortunate". This construction is used in the dialogue, when Susie says "I'm afraid it's not just the Americans who aren't happy". Another example: "I'm afraid the cricket match has been cancelled due to bad weather".

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