Scared vs Scarred
What’s the difference between them?
Scared
Meaning:
Feeling fearful or anxious.
Examples:
1. He was so scared that he ran away from the dark alley.
2. The loud noise made her jump, she was so scared.
3. The little girl was scared of the dark.
Scarred
Meaning:
To have a mark on one's skin or other surface caused by injury, burning, or disease.
Examples:
1. The trees were scarred by the fire that had swept through the mountain.
2. He was emotionally scarred by the painful experience.
3. The young soldier was permanently scarred by the bullet wound.
Learn similar and opposite words to spot the difference
Synonyms
Antonyms
Scared
1. Afraid
2. Frightened
3. Terrified
4. Panic-stricken
5. Apprehensive
1. Brave
2. Fearless
3. Unafraid
4. Calm
5. Confident
Scarred
1. Disfigured
2. Marked
3. Mutilated
4. Seared
5. Ravaged
1. Unblemished
2. Flawless
3. Intact
4. Perfect
5. Unharmed
Tricks for mastery
Useful tips to understand the difference between confusing words "Scared", "Scarred".
1. Scared is an emotion.
2. Scarred is a physical mark.
3. A useful mnemonic for remembering the difference is 'a scared feeling is in your head, while a scarred mark is on your body'.
4. To help remember the difference, it can be helpful to think of 'scared' as having a 'c' for 'cold', as in feeling a chill due to fear, while 'scarred' has an 'r' for 'rough', as in having a rough patch of skin due to a wound.
Practice English with the Promova app and avoid misusing confusing words
Frequently asked questions
In what situations should the word 'scared' be used?
The word 'scared' is typically used in situations when someone is afraid or feels fear, e.g. 'I was scared when I heard the loud thunder.'
When is the appropriate context for using the word 'scarred'?
The word 'scarred' is typically used to describe a physical mark left on someone’s body from an injury, e.g. 'The victim of the accident was scarred for life.'
Do the two words share the same pronunciation?
No, the two words do not share the same pronunciation. The word 'scared' is pronounced '/skeərd/', while the word 'scarred' is pronounced '/skɑːrd/'.
What are some common mistakes people make when using these words?
A common mistake people make when using these words is confusing them in written form, e.g. using 'scarred' when they mean 'scared'. Additionally, people often mistakenly pronounce the words with the same sound, when they should be pronounced differently.
Fill in the gaps to check yourself
1. After a difficult childhood, he was _________ for life.
2. When she encountered the wild animal, she was __________ of what it might do.
3. The fire left the old house _________ and in ruins.
4. The team faced a _________ defeat in the championship game.
5. He is _________ by the memories of his past mistakes.
6. She was visibly __________ when she saw the size of the spider.
1. After a difficult childhood, he was scarred for life.
Explanation: The word scarred is the correct choice because it means to have a permanent mark or reminder of an emotional experience. In this case, the difficult childhood has left the person with an enduring mark, which can be physical or emotional.
2. When she encountered the wild animal, she was scared of what it might do.
Explanation: The word scared is the correct choice because it means to feel fear or apprehension. In this case, the person is fearful of the wild animal and unsure of what it might do.
3. The fire left the old house scarred and in ruins.
Explanation: The word scarred is the correct choice because it means to have a permanent mark or reminder of an experience. In this case, the fire has left a permanent mark, or scar, on the old house and has caused it to be in ruins.
4. The team faced was scared of the final round of championship.
Explanation: The word scared is the correct choice because it means to feel fear or apprehension. In this case, the team is fearful of the outcome of the championship game and feeling apprehension about what might happen.
5. He is scarred by the memories of his past mistakes.
Explanation: The word scarred is the correct choice because it means to have a permanent mark or reminder of an emotional experience. In this case, the person is reminded of their past mistakes and it has left a permanent mark on them.
6. She was visibly scared when she saw the size of the spider.
Explanation: The word scared is the correct choice because it means to feel fear or apprehension. In this case, the person is fearful of the size of the spider and this is visible to others.
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Download the PDF with a list of commonly confused words made as flashcards for comfortable learning.
List of Commonly Confused Words
Finding your way around the English language can be hard, especially since there are so many confusing words and rules. So, a list of the most confusing words in English is an extremely useful tool for improving language accuracy and sharing the ideas clearly.