trepid

[ trep-id ]

adjective

1. fearful or apprehensive, especially trembling from fear.

Word History and Origins

Origin of trepid¹

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

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

This time around, she put grown-up thought into details like the length of her stride — people in the fashion industry say that on the runway, too short a step looks tepid and trepid.

From New York Times

Now it was he who became trepid, not understanding.

From Project Gutenberg

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

From Project Gutenberg

More About Trepid

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.

Where does trepid come from?

The first records of the term trepid come from around the 1640s. It comes from the Latin term trepidus, meaning “alarmed” or “agitated.”

While trepid is infrequently used, an opposite term, intrepid, is frequently used as a synonym for brave or fearless.

Trepid is used more often in heightened writing and speech, while trepidation is used more often in casual and formal conversations. The opposite is true for intrepid and its related noun intrepidity. Intrepid is more often used in casual and formal conversation, while intrepidity is mostly used in prose and dramatic writing.

Did you know … ?

What are some synonyms for trepid?

• fearful
• apprehensive
• frightened
• nervous
• uncertain

What are some words that share a root or word element with trepid? 

• trepidation
• trepidant
• intrepid

What are some words that often get used in discussing trepid?

• action
• movements
• tone
• tremble

How is trepid used in real life?

Trepid is used to describe a feeling of fear or anxiousness, more often in writing than speech.

Tad trepid, asked a few locals in Rajkot about @ArvindKejriwal visit. Delighted when they said they fully support AK!

— Preeti Sharma Menon (@PreetiSMenon) July 8, 2016

TONIGHT IS A SUPER MOON AND @shaairandfunc 's gig in Bombay @thebluefrog – i'm already feeling a trepid excitement.

— Monica Dogra (@MonicaSDogra) May 5, 2012

That one morning, where u didnt know when night ended & the sun rose. Funny overlaps? No. Just work & trepid anticipation.

— Sonal Kapoor (@ArtForCause) April 7, 2011

Try using trepid!

Which of the following is NOT a synonym for trepid?

A. anxious
B. worried
C. jittery
D. happy