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. often foll bythat; used to lessen the effect of an unpleasant statement regretful

   I'm afraid that I shall have to tell you to go

Other Words From

• half-a·fraid adjective
• una·fraid 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

Advisers were afraid to express positions contrary to the president’s views because they feared a public denunciation or “that they would be cut out,” she said.

From Washington Post

It gave me an absolutely liberating sensation that I could do things I would generally be afraid of.

From Eater

If you’re in pain every time you move, he explains, it’s normal to become afraid of moving—and it’s a physical therapist’s job to enable you to start moving enough that you can move past the fear.

From Popular-Science

The rabies virus is just a simple packet of DNA, but its complex psychological extended phenotype influences hosts to bite and to be afraid of water, both of which help spread rabies more effectively.

From Nautilus

We want somebody who has not been afraid to tackle those issues and has a track record to bridge the gap between the police department and Oceanside residents, particularly people of color.

From Voice of San Diego

As soon as this attack [happened], Paris citizens came together to show were are not afraid, we are Charlie Hebdo.

From The Daily Beast

But we are afraid and we wonder to ourselves who will be next.

From The Daily Beast

Are you excited, nervous, afraid, all of the above for the new Star Wars films?

From The Daily Beast

But at this stage, he is either afraid or unable to get carried away by his thoughts.

From The Daily Beast

Afraid the Korean secret police would not believe his kidnapping story, Shin settled in Hollywood.

From The Daily Beast

I am afraid, Monsieur le Marquis, that I shall be interfering with your arrangements?

From Project Gutenberg

The heir apparent and his brothers were cowering in fear, afraid to strike, yet hoping that others would strike for them.

From Project Gutenberg

But I am afraid you would very soon get tired of us, and I ought to tell you, frankly, that our little home is to be—a broken up.

From Project Gutenberg

"I'm afraid I couldn't quite manage that, my dear boy," your fond parent would respond.

From Project Gutenberg

Mamma has proposed to her—in view of your absence—to come and stay with us, and she does n't seem afraid of the idea.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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