trepidation
Americannoun
-
trepidations
plural
-
tremulous fear, alarm, or agitation; perturbation.
-
Archaic. trembling or quivering movement; tremor.
noun
-
a state of fear or anxiety
-
a condition of quaking or palpitation, esp one caused by anxiety
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of trepidation
First recorded in 1600–10; from Latin trepidātiōn- (stem of trepidātiō ), equivalent to trepidāt(us) (past participle of trepidāre “to hurry, panic, alarm” + -iōn- noun suffix; see trepid, -ate 1, -ion
Explanation
When plain old "fear" isn't enough to get across a deep feeling of dread about something on the horizon, use the more formal word trepidation. "It was with a certain trepidation that I attended an advance screening of Rob Zombie's Halloween in Hollywood last night," wrote a film reviewer. Some dictionaries note that trepidation carries connotations of apprehension about an upcoming threat. In most cases, though, you can get by with the simpler word fear — why use three syllables when you could make do with one? The word comes from the Latin verb trepidare, "to tremble."
Vocabulary lists containing trepidation
The Crucible
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Words inspired by "Inside Out"
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Grade 10, List 6
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
The expected rush has caused trepidation for the authorities, who are pleading for caution amid fears that the heavenly phenomenon will unleash hell on the ground.
From Barron's ● Aug. 11, 2026
U.S.-traded oil futures gained $2.07, or 2.8%, to $77.29 a barrel as trepidation about the Strait of Hormuz grew.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 6, 2026
She said there was a lot of excitement, and a little trepidation, about the Fleadh gig.
From BBC ● Jul. 31, 2026
But for all of Tom and Anna’s trepidation toward Max, they do little to thwart him from being all up in their business.
From Salon ● Jul. 17, 2026
With trepidation I reported this to Yao, and he told me the master kept everybody’s belongings safely in his bedroom.
From "Flying Through Water" by Mamle Wolo
Next year, Ravinder and Gita will have been married for half a century, the trepidations of youth dispelled by time.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 25, 2025
I was nervous that he would have trepidations — ‘Oh, I’ve got this sick person on set.’
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 11, 2025
I had trepidations about moving there with small children, and we had a few rough months adjusting to the heat and battling intestinal ailments.
From Seattle Times ● Sep. 8, 2023
"I had trepidations about coming at all, but I'm glad I did," he says.
From BBC ● May 30, 2023
Her trepidations were mingled with emotions not unakin to sublimity; but the consciousness of danger speedily prevailed, and she hastened to acquit herself of her engagement.
From Choice Specimens of American Literature, and Literary Reader Being Selections from the Chief American Writers by Benj. N. Martin
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
