petrify

The word "petrify" has two main meanings, and both are built around the idea of becoming like stone. In its literal sense, it means to turn something into stone or into a stone-like state. This is the idea behind petrified wood, where the original material is gradually replaced by minerals over a long time. The word comes from roots that mean "stone" and "make."

In modern conversation, however, "petrify" is most often used to describe frightening someone so badly that they cannot move or think for a moment. It is a strong word, so it does not fit a small surprise. It suggests fear so intense that the person is figuratively turned to stone. For example: "The sudden roar petrified her," or "He was petrified when he heard the noise behind him."

The word can also appear in broader figurative writing to suggest something becoming hard, fixed, or unable to change, though that use is less common than the fear-related one. Most learners will meet it in stories, conversations, and descriptions of fear. Whether it refers to wood becoming stone over time or a person freezing in sudden terror, the central idea is the same: something loses movement and becomes rigid.