WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026
ter•ri•fy /ˈtɛrəˌfaɪ/USA pronunciation
v. [~ + object], -fied, -fy•ing.
WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026- to fill with terror:The horror movie terrified the child.
ter•ri•fy•ing /ˈtɛrəˌfaɪɪŋ/USA pronunciation adj.
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026- causing or bringing terror:a terrifying nightmare.
ter•ri•fy
(ter′ə fī′),USA pronunciation v.t., -fied, -fy•ing.
ter′ri•fi′er, n.
ter′ri•fy′ing•ly, adv.
- to fill with terror or alarm;
make greatly afraid.
- Latin terrificāre, equivalent. to terr(ēre) to frighten + -ificāre -ify
- 1565–75
ter′ri•fy′ing•ly, adv.
- See frighten.