AFRAID

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does afraid mean? 

• AFRAID (adjective)
  The adjective AFRAID has 4 senses:

1. filled with fear or apprehension

2. filled with regret or concern; used often to soften an unpleasant statement

3. feeling worry or concern or insecurity

4. having feelings of aversion or unwillingness

  Familiarity information: AFRAID used as an adjective is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• AFRAID (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Filled with fear or apprehension

Context example:

afraid to ask questions

Similar:

acrophobic (suffering from acrophobia; abnormally afraid of high places)

xenophobic (suffering from xenophobia; having abnormal fear or hatred of the strange or foreign)

white-lipped (having white lips from fear or terror)

unnerved (deprived of courage and strength)

triskaidekaphobic (suffering from triskaidekaphobia (abnormal fear of the number 13))

terror-stricken; terror-struck (struck or filled with terror)

numb (so frightened as to be unable to move; stunned or paralyzed with terror; petrified)

frightened; panic-stricken; panic-struck; panicked; panicky; terrified (thrown into a state of intense fear or desperation)

mysophobic (suffering from mysophobia; abnormally afraid of dirt or contamination)

aquaphobic; hydrophobic (abnormally afraid of water)

hunted (reflecting the fear or terror of one who is hunted)

horrified; horror-stricken; horror-struck (stricken with horror)

frightened; scared (made afraid)

fearful (experiencing or showing fear)

claustrophobic (suffering from claustrophobia; abnormally afraid of closed-in places)

hangdog (frightened into submission or compliance)

apprehensive (in fear or dread of possible evil or harm)

algophobic (suffering from algophobia; abnormally afraid of pain)

alarmed (experiencing a sudden sense of danger)

agoraphobic (suffering from agoraphobia; abnormally afraid of open or public places)

aghast; appalled; dismayed; shocked (struck with fear, dread, or consternation)

afeard; afeared (a pronunciation of afraid)

Also:

timid (showing fear and lack of confidence)

cowardly; fearful (lacking courage; ignobly timid and faint-hearted)

Attribute:

fear; fearfulness; fright (an emotion experienced in anticipation of some specific pain or danger (usually accompanied by a desire to flee or fight))

Antonym:

unafraid (oblivious of dangers or perils or calmly resolute in facing them)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Filled with regret or concern; used often to soften an unpleasant statement

Context example:

I'm afraid you're wrong

Similar:

concerned (feeling or showing worry or solicitude)

Sense 3

Meaning:

Feeling worry or concern or insecurity

Context example:

I am afraid we have witnessed only the first phase of the conflict

Similar:

concerned (feeling or showing worry or solicitude)

Sense 4

Meaning:

Having feelings of aversion or unwillingness

Context example:

afraid to show emotion

Similar:

disinclined (unwilling because of mild dislike or disapproval)

 Context examples 

"Maybe Mr. Miller is right," she said. I am afraid that he is.

(Love of Life and Other Stories, by Jack London)

I am very much afraid that it is not.

(The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

I found myself strangely afraid of this woman I was escorting aft.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

“I am afraid there are no signs here,” said he.

(The Return of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

“I am afraid, Watson, that I shall have to go,” said Holmes, as we sat down together to our breakfast one morning.

(The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

The wolf was suspicious and afraid; for Buck made three of him in weight, while his head barely reached Buck’s shoulder.

(The Call of the Wild, by Jack London)

I grew dreadfully afraid, and the horses shared my fear.

(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)

“Oh!” said Lydia stoutly, “I am not afraid; for though I am the youngest, I'm the tallest.”

(Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen)

To all of which, that I might commit nobody, I invented, I am afraid, appropriate answers.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

Those whose training began more than 6 hours later remained afraid of the squares.

(How Our Memory Works, NIH, US)