- (tr; often passive)
to convert (organic material, esp plant material) into a fossilized form by impregnation with dissolved minerals so that the original appearance is preserved to make or become dull, unresponsive, insensitive, etc; deaden - (tr; often passive)
to stun or daze with horror, fear, etc
WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025
pet•ri•fy /ˈpɛtrəˌfaɪ/USA pronunciation
v., -fied, -fy•ing.
pet•ri•fied, adj.: The petrified children sat there, eyes wide with fear.
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025- to (cause to) become changed into stone or a stony substance: [no object]Over thousands of years the fossils had petrified.[~ + object]The hot lava had instantly petrified this fossil.
- to cause to be in a state of shock, as from fear or terror:[~ + object]She refused to climb up the tree because heights petrify her.
- to (cause to) be hardened, deadened, or unwilling to change: [~ + object]The tragedy petrified his emotions.[no object]The tiny, isolated society had petrified.
pet•ri•fied, adj.: The petrified children sat there, eyes wide with fear.
pet•ri•fy
(pe′trə fī′),USA pronunciation v., -fied, -fy•ing.
v.t.
v.i.
pet′ri•fi′a•ble, adj.
pe•trif•i•cant
(pi trif′i kənt),USA pronunciation adj.
pet′ri•fi′er, n.
v.t.
- to convert into stone or a stony substance.
- to benumb or paralyze with astonishment, horror, or other strong emotion:I was petrified with fear.
- to make rigid or inert; harden;
deaden:The tragedy in his life petrified his emotions.
v.i.
- to become petrified.
- Middle French petrifier. See petri-, -fy
- 1585–95
- 2.See corresponding entry in Unabridged immobilize, dumbfound, daze.
Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
'petrify' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):