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.
The country isn’t afraid to cancel some projects if they don’t make sense, Finance Minister Mohammed al-Jadaan said late last year.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 6, 2026
Wineman isn’t afraid to spelunk truly deranged depths, but what’s remarkable is how much style he incorporates into the film’s most outré moments.
From Salon • Apr. 5, 2026
"I think what characterizes this moment is that people are afraid."
From Barron's • Apr. 3, 2026
“Don’t be afraid to hit up your nearest dollar stores,” said Brian Theis, a cookbook author who likes to put his thrift-minded ways to good use during Easter.
From MarketWatch • Apr. 2, 2026
“I’d like to help you,” Grandpa said, “but I’m afraid I can’t. You’ll have to make up your own mind.”
From "Summer of the Monkeys" by Wilson Rawls
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.
