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

“If you’re overusing AI, that means you’re not doing anything unique as a human in that process, which means you’re going to be even more afraid of AI taking your job,” he said.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 11, 2026

He broadcast from anti-ICE protests and stopped by a church to interview a pastor and volunteers organizing a food drive for immigrants too afraid to go outside.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 11, 2026

"If you don't carry it, you're arrested. In my life i was so afraid of being arrested… even now I'm afraid."

From BBC • Apr. 6, 2026

She’s the kind of actor we desperately need right now, someone who isn’t afraid to challenge themselves or risk their viewership with a daring role.

From Salon • Apr. 3, 2026

And he was very, very afraid of being in Alex’s book, because people wouldn’t pay lots of money to go on Troppo Tourists tours if they knew the captain was a bad guy.

From "Nim’s Island" by Wendy Orr

Related Words

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