afraid
Americanadjective
-
feeling fear; filled with apprehension.
afraid to go.
- Synonyms:
- timorous, timid, apprehensive, fearful, scared
-
feeling regret, unhappiness, or the like.
I'm afraid we can't go on Monday.
-
feeling reluctance, unwillingness, distaste, or the like.
He seemed afraid to show his own children a little kindness.
adjective
-
(often foll by of) feeling fear or apprehension; frightened
he was afraid of cats
-
reluctant (to do something), as through fear or timidity
he was afraid to let himself go
-
regretful
I'm afraid that I shall have to tell you to go
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
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.
I think when you stand outside of that vulnerability and you’re afraid to really go into it, I don’t know, I feel like that’s orbiting your true power.
From Los Angeles Times
"Today, it's no longer the case. We're afraid the house will collapse on our heads."
From Barron's
As people look at the magic of AI, they’re just generally afraid.
From Barron's
She said they are afraid that the $44,000 yearly insurance bill is imperiling their retirement plans.
"Being close to your family. Not being afraid that you won't wake up tomorrow."
From BBC
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.
