What Does Panic Mean?
Panic is a sudden, strong fear that makes it hard to think clearly. It can be a noun or a verb.
- A noun: the feeling. There was panic in the hall when the lights went out.
- A verb: to be filled with that fear. Don't panic!
Don't panic! The bus is only five minutes late.
The sheep panicked when the dog barked.
🔊 Pronunciation
PAN-ik
The stress is on the first part.
🗣️ Natural Examples
A moment of panic hit me when I lost my ticket.
There is no need to panic.
The crowd began to panic.
She was so panicky that she forgot her lines.
Don't panic. We still have time.
🛠️ How to Use It
Panic is a common word, in speech and in writing.
- Verb forms: panic, panics, panicked, panicking. Add a k before -ed and -ing.
- Adjective: panicky means full of panic.
- Panic about or panic over something: panic about the test.
- Don't panic! is something calm people say to help others.
🤝 Common Word Partners
- a moment of panic
- in a panic
- panic about
- don't panic
- sheer panic
- the panic button
👯 Similar and Related Words
- fear: a general feeling of being afraid.
- alarm: a sudden worry about danger.
- fright: a quick, sharp scare.
- terror: very strong fear.
- keep calm: the opposite of panic.
⚠️ Common Mistakes
Add a k.
❌ paniced, panicing
✅ panicked, panicking
It is not reflexive.
❌ Don't panic yourself.
✅ Don't panic.
Use about or over.
❌ I panicked with the test.
✅ I panicked about the test.
💬 In a Conversation
Mia: I think I left my project at home!
Sam: Don't panic.
Mia: I am panicking.
Sam: Check your bag first.
Mia: Oh, it is here.
Sam: And now you can stop panicking.
🕵️ Where Does It Come From?
The word comes from Pan, the Greek god of woods, fields and shepherds. People believed Pan could cause sudden fear in herds, crowds and travellers in lonely places. The Greek phrase panikon deima meant "fright of Pan".
English took the word through French panique in the 1400s. It was first used as an adjective, around 1600, in phrases such as panic fear. The noun panic meaning "sudden mass terror" is recorded from 1708. The verb came in 1827.
💡 The OddLingo Trick
Picture a hidden god in the woods who shouts "Boo!".
Everyone runs in different directions. That sudden rush of fear is panic, named after Pan.