fright 
/ˈfraɪt/ noun
plural frights /ˈfraɪt/ noun 1 a [noncount] : fear caused by sudden danger : sudden fear
▪ Her eyes were wide with fright. ▪ He was paralyzed with/by fright. [=he was so afraid that he couldn't move] ▪ I almost died of fright. [=I was extremely afraid or terrified] ▪ I approached very slowly, but the hawk took fright [=became afraid] and flew away.
b [count] : a feeling of sudden fear — usually singular ▪ When you jumped out from behind the door it gave me such a fright! [=it made me feel very afraid] synonyms 1fear 2 [count] old-fashioned : something that looks strange, shocking, ugly, etc. — usually singular ▪ You can't go out like that. Your hair looks a fright! [=your hair looks very messy or unattractive]
▪ Her eyes were wide with fright. ▪ He was paralyzed with/by fright. [=he was so afraid that he couldn't move] ▪ I almost died of fright. [=I was extremely afraid or terrified] ▪ I approached very slowly, but the hawk took fright [=became afraid] and flew away.
b [count] : a feeling of sudden fear — usually singular ▪ When you jumped out from behind the door it gave me such a fright! [=it made me feel very afraid] synonyms 1fear
— see also stage fright
