Afraid
[ə'freɪd] or [ə'fred]
Definition
(adj.) filled with regret or concern; used often to soften an unpleasant statement; 'I'm afraid I won't be able to come'; 'he was afraid he would have to let her go'; 'I'm afraid you're wrong' .
(adj.) feeling worry or concern or insecurity; 'She was afraid that I might be embarrassed'; 'terribly afraid of offending someone'; 'I am afraid we have witnessed only the first phase of the conflict' .
(adj.) having feelings of aversion or unwillingness; 'afraid of hard work'; 'afraid to show emotion' .
(adj.) filled with fear or apprehension; 'afraid even to turn his head'; 'suddenly looked afraid'; 'afraid for his life'; 'afraid of snakes'; 'afraid to ask questions' .
Editor: Warren--From WordNet
Definition
(p. a.) Impressed with fear or apprehension; in fear; apprehensive.
Edited by Lelia
Synonyms and Synonymous
a. Fearful, haunted with fear.
Typed by Bartholdi
Synonyms and Antonyms
SYN:Fearful, apprehensive, timid, timorous, cowardly, fainthearted, cautious,careful, frightened, alarmed, terrified, suspicious, distrustful, anxious
ANT:Fearless, inapprehensive, unsolicitous, easy, indifferent, secure, confident,bold, hopeful, eager, reckless, audacious, venturesome
Checker: Max
Definition
adj. struck with fear: timid.
Inputed by Giles
Unserious Contents or Definition
To feel that you are afraid to proceed with some affair, or continue a journey, denotes that you will find trouble in your household, and enterprises will be unsuccessful. To see others afraid, denotes that some friend will be deterred from performing some favor for you because of his own difficulties. For a young woman to dream that she is afraid of a dog, there will be a possibility of her doubting a true friend.
Typed by Helga
Examples
- Why, I was afraid of being shot, said Alvanly, very quietly. Harriette Wilson. The Memoirs of Harriette Wilson.
- Not here,' said Nancy hurriedly, 'I am afraid to speak to you here. Charles Dickens. Oliver Twist.
- Don't be afraid of me: you needn't squeeze yourself back into your corner like that. Edith Wharton. The Age of Innocence.
- Don't you be afraid of that. Charles Dickens. A Tale of Two Cities.
- I don't remember much about it, except that I was afraid of the cellar and the dark entry, and always liked the cake and milk we had up at the top. Louisa May Alcott. Little Women.
- I am afraid that you, my poor baby, will soon have no father left to you! Thomas Hardy. The Return of the Native.
- His old dog, Pilot, lay on one side, removed out of the way, and coiled up as if afraid of being inadvertently trodden upon. Charlotte Bronte. Jane Eyre.
- I don't think you need be afraid of that, replied Helena, with great scorn; Andros is not likely to rule Melnos. Fergus Hume. The Island of Fantasy.
- When Mrs. Sykes is afraid of the house being attacked and broke open--as she is every night--I get quite excited. Charlotte Bronte. Shirley.
- Oh, his mother was frightened--she was afraid I should have all the family jewels reset. Edith Wharton. The House of Mirth.
- I was most anxious, yet afraid, to see his wife. Harriette Wilson. The Memoirs of Harriette Wilson.
- Don't be afraid, dear, he said good-naturedly; it is but a twelve hours' passage. William Makepeace Thackeray. Vanity Fair.
- That he is right to say he is afraid? Hemingway, Ernest. For Whom The Bell Tolls.
- I've always been afraid of the rain. Ernest Hemingway. A Farewell To Arms.
- I don't know how long it will last, but I'm not afraid of storms, for I'm learning how to sail my ship. Louisa May Alcott. Little Women.
- I am afraid to think so; it seems too bold. Charles Dickens. David Copperfield.
- Why, sure you're not afraid of it? Charles Dickens. Oliver Twist.
- I am afraid not, said Holmes, shaking his head. Arthur Conan Doyle. The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes.
- I am afraid you don't know your Virgil, Mr Roylands. Fergus Hume. The Island of Fantasy.
- I expressed my pleasure in the contemplation of it, and little Em'ly was emboldened to say, shyly, 'Don't you think you are afraid of the sea, now? Charles Dickens. David Copperfield.
- But sometimes a conqueror was afraid of the god he had conquered. H. G. Wells. The Outline of History_Being a Plain History of Life and Mankind.
- I am afraid I was in a tremulous state for a minute or so, though I did my best to disguise it. Charles Dickens. David Copperfield.
- I can do poor Arthur no good now, that I see; and you needn't be afraid of me. Charles Dickens. Little Dorrit.
- I was afraid to put it off till next day (the Friday); being in doubt lest some accident might happen in the interval. Wilkie Collins. The Moonstone.
- She turned in such a way, and said--I suppose you think I'm afraid of you and your cattle, don't you? D. H. Lawrence. Women in Love .
- She was afraid she had done her nothing but disservice. Jane Austen. Emma.
- I'm afraid Laurie will be quite spoiled among them. Louisa May Alcott. Little Women.
- I am afraid you have had a tedious ride; John drives so slowly; you must be cold, come to the fire. Charlotte Bronte. Jane Eyre.
- I am afraid that I-- I have seen you dancing this evening, and you had the very best of the girls for your partners. Thomas Hardy. The Return of the Native.
- If I'd known you were coming I'd have had something ready for you today, though not as pretty as this, I'm afraid. Louisa May Alcott. Little Women.
Typed by Helga