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

Example Sentences

And he has not been afraid to take on the pro-Orban new outlets that dominate Hungary's media landscape.

From BBC

And yet, Sina says, his uncle seems to be "afraid of dying" in the war and appears to have been trying to improve relations with some family members, including his own mother, Sina's grandmother.

From BBC

Fairey was forthcoming about his opinions on art, politics and technology, drawing applause at one point for saying that using AI in art is not something to be afraid of.

From Los Angeles Times

Wiseman says he has a lifelong love of flying, but on the ground he's afraid of heights.

From BBC

I was always afraid to say her tribe’s name out loud, because it seemed like they went by two or three different names simultaneously, depending on who you were talking to.

From Literature

Related Words

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