WordGarden.iopanic
A2Pronunciation
UK
- /pˈænɪk/
US
- /ˈpænɪk/
Meanings
Noun
a sudden overwhelming feeling of fear or anxiety
sudden widespread fear that makes people react rashly
Verb
to react with sudden fear and lose control
Beyond the definition
Imagine being lost in a dark forest, hearing strange noises all around. That feeling of intense, overwhelming fear is panic. It's more than just being scared; it's a sudden rush of terror that can make you feel like you're losing control. It can be triggered by a dangerous situation, but sometimes it happens unexpectedly, even without an obvious threat. A stock market crash might cause panic selling, or a student might feel panic before a big exam. It's a powerful emotion that can affect both your mind and body.
Panic is a sudden, overwhelming feeling of fear, anxiety, or terror. While everyone experiences fear from time to time, panic goes beyond normal apprehension. It is marked by physical symptoms like a rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath, dizziness, sweating, and trembling, all fueled by the brain's "fight-or-flight" response kicking into overdrive.
The word "panic" originally comes from the Greek god Pan, who was known for creating sudden, irrational fear in travelers passing through the wild. This historical connection reflects how panic often feels: a wild, uncontrollable force that descends unexpectedly.
Panic can manifest in different ways. A panic attack is an intense episode of fear that peaks within minutes and includes several physical symptoms. A mass panic describes widespread fear among a large group of people, often occurring during a fire or natural disaster. You might also say someone "panicked" (using the word as a verb) when they made a rash decision under pressure, meaning they acted impulsively out of fear rather than logic.
It is important to distinguish between everyday anxiety and true panic. While both involve worry, panic is more intense, debilitating, and often occurs without a clear, immediate cause. Understanding the difference can help individuals seek appropriate support if they experience frequent or severe episodes of panic.
Examples
- 1
Lost passport
I started to panic when I couldn't find my passport.
- 2
Reassurance
Don't panic; we still have twenty minutes before the train leaves.
- 3
Voice
She tried to sound calm, but there was panic in her voice.
- 4
Crowd reaction
When the fire alarm went off, panic spread through the crowd.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Before speaking
He was in a panic because the presentation was about to start.
- 6
Rumors
Many parents panicked over rumors that the school might close.
- Patternpanic over/about + problem
become very worried about it
- 7
Deadlines
As the deadline got closer, panic began to set in.
- Phrasepanic sets in
people start to feel panic
- 8
Storm preparation
Panic buying emptied the shelves before the storm arrived.
- Phrasepanic buying
buying a lot because people are afraid supplies will run out
- 9
Investors
The company told investors not to hit the panic button after one bad month.
- Phrasehit the panic button
react too quickly because of fear or worry
- 10
Health
She has learned breathing exercises to help her during a panic attack.
See also
Forms and spellings
4 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- panicnounverbadjective
Forms
- panickedpast tensepast participleverbnounadjective
- panicking-ing formverbnounadjective
- panicspluralnounverbadjective