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

Related Words

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