verb (used with object), ter·ri·fied, ter·ri·fy·ing.
- to fill with terror or alarm; make greatly afraid.
verb -fies, -fying or -fied
- (tr) to inspire fear or dread in; frighten greatly
v.1570s, from Latin terrificare “to frighten,” from terrificus “causing terror” (see terrific). Related: Terrified; terrifying.