What does scared mean?
“Scared” is an adjective meaning frightened or afraid. It describes a person, animal, or sometimes a situation in which fear is present: a child may be scared of the dark, while a driver can be scared by sudden traffic. The word is widely used in both formal and informal English and is generally neutral in tone, though it can suggest a more immediate or emotional reaction than the calmer word “concerned.” It commonly appears in expressions such as “scared stiff,” “scared to death,” and “scared for your life,” which intensify the basic meaning. “Scared” is the past participle of the verb “scare,” but it also functions independently as an adjective and has no widely used noun or adverb form.
adjectiveFeeling fear or fright; afraid. It can also describe a person who is frightened by a particular situation or danger.
- Feeling fear or fright; afraid.
- Experiencing fright in response to a threatening or alarming situation.
"The child was scared of the loud thunder."
"She was scared that the storm would damage the house."
"The soldiers remained scared but stayed at their posts."
Scared began as the past participle of scare, but it has become a full-fledged adjective in its own right.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Words that share this root
How scared is actually used
“Scared” is neutral in register and is common in everyday speech. It is often used with “of” or “to” plus an infinitive, as in “scared of the dark” or “scared to speak.”
Easily confused with scared
“Scared” means frightened, whereas “scarred” means marked with scars from an injury or wound.