[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/frantic/)

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# frantic

adjective (frantic; more frantic, most frantic)

«frantic» in the English dictionary: everyday and Early Modern English — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. Frantic means very worried, scared or upset, so that you cannot think calmly. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/frantic/#m1)
2. Frantic means done very quickly and wildly, with lots of rushing: «a frantic search». [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/frantic/#m2)

### In the lessons

In stories and news, a frantic parent searches for a lost child; a frantic rush happens before a deadline or the school bus leaves. In safety lessons, staying calm is better than being frantic. Phrases: «frantic with worry», «a frantic search», «a frantic rush».

### Examples

- She was frantic with worry when her cat went missing. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/frantic/#x1)
- There was a frantic rush to finish the homework. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/frantic/#x2)
- The dog barked frantically at the door. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/frantic/#x3)
- After a frantic search, we found the keys in the fridge. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/frantic/#x4)
- The last minutes of the match were frantic. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/frantic/#x5)
- Don't get frantic; take a deep breath. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/frantic/#x6)
- As she was raving and roaring in this frantic manner part of the floor suddenly opened and a huge giant rose up carrying a great chest in his arms. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/frantic/#x7)

### Note

Adverb: frantically. Similar: panicky, desperate, hectic. Opposite: calm.

## Early Modern English

### Meaning

wild, raging or out of control, with great rage or pain. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/emode/F/frantic/#m1)

### Then and now

Today frantic means very worried or scared; here it means wild or raging, as with the pig's frantic kick.

### Examples

- "That is all very well," replied the Pig, with a squeal and a frantic kick. (The Aesop for Children / With pictures by Milo Winter) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/emode/F/frantic/#x1)
- But this frantic burst of grief passed, and then they took possession of their own hearts again, crushed though they were in resignation. (Japanese Fairy Tales) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/emode/F/frantic/#x2)
- As she was raving and roaring in this frantic manner part of the floor suddenly opened and a huge giant rose up carrying a great chest in his arms. (The Brown Fairy Book) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/emode/F/frantic/#x3)

### Note

Today: wild, furious.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «frantic» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/frantic/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«frantic» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/frantic.html) on Mova free.
- [Trees and pragmatics of «frantic» in the Early Modern English dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/emode/F/frantic/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«frantic» in the Early Modern English dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/emode/w/frantic.html) on Mova free.