English Meaning & Definitions
To make a person or animal so afraid that they run away or decide not to approach.
- “Loud noises can easily frighten away wildlife in the nature reserve.”
- “The guard dog was intended to frighten away potential burglars.”
English Synonyms & Near Equivalents
Comprehensive Thesaurus Breakdown
Compare formal, informal, literary synonyms and register nuances for “frighten away”.
The verb 'frighten' stems from Middle English 'frighten', derived from Old English 'gefyrhtan', meaning to cause fear, related to 'fyrht' (fear). 'Away' comes from Old English 'onweg', meaning on the way or from here. Combined as a phrasal verb, it has been used since the early Modern English period to describe causing someone or something to retreat or depart out of fear.
Imagine a ghost ('frighten') making a stray cat run off into the distance ('away').
Frequently Asked Questions About “frighten away”
1. What is the meaning of “frighten away” in English?
In English, frighten away (verb) is defined as: “To make a person or animal so afraid that they run away or decide not to approach.”.
2. How do you use “frighten away” in a sentence?
“Loud noises can easily frighten away wildlife in the nature reserve.”
3. What are English synonyms of “frighten away”?
4. What is the etymology and word origin of “frighten away”?
The verb 'frighten' stems from Middle English 'frighten', derived from Old English 'gefyrhtan', meaning to cause fear, related to 'fyrht' (fear). 'Away' comes from Old English 'onweg', meaning on the way or from here. Combined as a phrasal verb, it has been used since the early Modern English period to describe causing someone or something to retreat or depart out of fear.
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