afraid

[uh-freyd]

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.

afraid

/ 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

Other Word Forms

• half-afraid adjective
• unafraid adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of afraid¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of afraid¹

C14: affraied, past participle of _affray (to frighten)

Synonym Study

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.

Example Sentences

No, because I’m not afraid to admit my mistakes, which in my business is really important.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The scam has left potential customers feeling afraid, Ms Newman added, as she noticed more people browsing her website without making orders for jewellery.

Read more on BBC

It sheds light on a strange fact: many leading computer scientists who are working hard to develop a hugely intelligent form of AI, also seem deeply afraid of what it could one day do.

Read more on BBC

The president is aware of and careful with but not afraid of Bibi’s most reliable supporters in the U.S.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

“It’s a really interesting time in nightlife now, where people are afraid to spend money and jobs are hard to come by,” said Mo Faulk of Honey’s at Star Love.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• anxious 
• apprehensive 
• frightened 
• nervous 
• scared 
• shocked www.thesaurus.com
• suspicious 
• timid