Dictionary.com

trepidation

[ trep-i-dey-shuhn ]
/ ˌtrɛp ɪˈdeɪ ʃən /
Save This Word!
See synonyms for trepidation on Thesaurus.com
noun
tremulous fear, alarm, or agitation; perturbation.
trembling or quivering movement; tremor.

OTHER WORDS FOR trepidation

1 trembling, fright.
2 quivering, shaking.
See synonyms for trepidation on Thesaurus.com
QUIZ
GOOSES. GEESES. I WANT THIS QUIZ ON PLURAL NOUNS!
Test how much you really know about regular and irregular plural nouns with this quiz.
Question 1 of 9
Which of the following nouns has an irregular plural form?
cactus
wallet
goat
party
TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of trepidation

1595–1605; <Latin trepidātiōn- (stem of trepidātiō), equivalent to trepidāt(us) (past participle of trepidāre to hurry, alarm; see trepid, -ate1) + -iōn--ion

OTHER WORDS FROM trepidation

trep·i·da·tious, adjectivetrep·i·da·tious·ly, adverb
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

Words related to trepidation

alarm, apprehension, consternation, dismay, disquiet, dread, excitement, fright, horror, jitters, nervousness, panic, terror, uneasiness, agitation, butterflies, creeps, disturbance, emotion, fear

How to use trepidation in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for trepidation

trepidation
/ (ˌtrɛpɪˈdeɪʃən) /
noun
a state of fear or anxiety
a condition of quaking or palpitation, esp one caused by anxiety

Word Origin for trepidation

C17: from Latin trepidātiō, from trepidāre to be in a state of alarm; compare intrepid
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Medical definitions for trepidation

trepidation
[ trĕp′ĭ-dā′shən ]
n.
An involuntary trembling or quivering.
A state of anxious fear; apprehension.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
FEEDBACK