trepid

American  

[trep-id] / ˈtrɛp ɪd /

adjective

1. fearful or apprehensive, especially trembling from fear.

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Usage

What does trepid mean? Trepid means afraid, apprehensive, or trembling from fear. Trepid describes a feeling of fear or apprehension, especially one accompanied with trembling. It is most often used to describe people or animals that are acting unusually uneasy, as in Josie was feeling trepid about taking her law exam. Trepid is also used to describe the actions of people feeling trepid, such as talking in a trepid voice. You’re more likely to hear people using trepidation, however. Trepidation means trembling fear, as in Fernanda’s trepidation over the championship game caused her to miss the final goal. Example: The trepid animal stepped out from the brush to take the food.

Etymology

Origin of trepid

First recorded in 1640–50, trepid is from the Latin word trepidus

Example Sentences

The trepid traveler, 76, admittedly carries around emotional baggage filled with neuroses and aversions.

From Washington Post • Feb. 13, 2023

Figure skaters execute their routines so elegantly, they make it look easy—an illusion that quickly dissolves with our own trepid first step in an ice rink.

From Scientific American • Feb. 9, 2018

Kane, a constant but trepid traveler, especially values some flying tips he got from E.H.

From Time Magazine Archive

Phantom of beauty! with his trepid locks Gleaming like water-wreaths,—a flower of life, To whom the fairy world is fresh, the sky A glory, and the earth one huge delight!

From The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and Instruction Volume 12, No. 336, October 18, 1828 by Various

He mastered his trepid nature as best he could, and stayed there.

From Oberheim (Voices) by Leadem, Christopher