afraid

American  

[uh-freyd] / əˈfreɪd /

adjective

1. feeling fear; filled with apprehension.

   afraid to go.

   Synonyms:

   timorous, timid, apprehensive, fearful, scared

   Antonyms:

   fearless, confident, bold

2. feeling regret, unhappiness, or the like.

   I'm afraid we can't go on Monday.

3. feeling reluctance, unwillingness, distaste, or the like.

   He seemed afraid to show his own children a little kindness.

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afraid British  

/ əˈfreɪd /

adjective

1. (often foll by of) feeling fear or apprehension; frightened

   he was afraid of cats

2. reluctant (to do something), as through fear or timidity

   he was afraid to let himself go

3. regretful

   I'm afraid that I shall have to tell you to go

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Related Words

Afraid, alarmed, frightened, terrified all indicate a state of fear. Afraid implies inner apprehensive disquiet: afraid of the dark. Alarmed implies that the feelings are aroused through realization of some imminent or unexpected danger to oneself or others: alarmed by (or about ) someone's illness. Frightened means shocked with sudden, but usually short-lived, fear, especially that arising from apprehension of physical harm: frightened by an accident. Terrified suggests the emotional reaction when one is struck with a violent, overwhelming fear: terrified by an earthquake.

Other Word Forms

• half-afraid
  adjective
• unafraid
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of afraid

Variant spelling of affrayed, past participle of affray to disturb, frighten

Explanation

To be afraid is to be scared. People are afraid of snakes, bugs, heights, bears, death, and public speaking, among other things. Being afraid means you have a fear of something — and people are afraid of all sorts of things, from guns to ghosts to being in arguments. People also say, "I'm afraid I have some bad news," which doesn't mean they're afraid of the news, but sorry that they have to share it. It's a similar situation for the saying "I'm afraid so," which is a nice way of saying "I'm sorry, but the answer is yes."

Example Sentences

Afraid of losing out, the U.S. pushed through an agreement with the Pacific nation this August to explore and fund potential seabed mining there.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 27, 2025

Afraid to spook customers, Neelakandan has listed the new shipment of journals at $18.99.

From Barron's • Dec. 24, 2025

Afraid to spend, inflation-weary shoppers are also increasingly focusing on bargains and value, companies say.

From MarketWatch • Oct. 21, 2025

Titled “What Is Jeff Bridges Afraid of?,” the article chronicles his relentless self-doubt and anxiety, which Bridges confesses still plague him to this day.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 9, 2025

Afraid maybe somebody had forgotten to light the tree.

From "Miracles on Maple Hill" by Virginia Sorensen

Related Words

• anxious
• apprehensive
• frightened
• nervous
• scared
• shocked
• suspicious
• timid