First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
afraid
adjective \ə-ˈfrād, Southern also ə-ˈfred\
Definition of AFRAID
1
: filled with fear or apprehension <afraid of machines> <afraid for his job>
2
: filled with concern or regret over an unwanted situation <I'm afraid I won't be able to go>
3
: having a dislike for something <afraid of hard work>
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See afraid defined for kids
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Origin of AFRAID
Middle English affraied, from past participle of affraien to frighten — more at affray
Related to AFRAID
- Synonyms
- affrighted, aghast, alarmed, fearful, frightened, horrified, horror-struck, hysterical (also hysteric), scared, scary, shocked, spooked, terrified, terrorized
Synonym Discussion of AFRAID
fearful, apprehensive, afraid mean disturbed by fear. fearful implies often a timorous or worrying temperament <the child is fearful of loud noises>. apprehensive suggests a state of mind and implies a premonition of evil or danger <apprehensive of being found out>. afraid often suggests weakness or cowardice and regularly implies inhibition of action or utterance <afraid to speak the truth>.
Rhymes with AFRAID
abrade, air raid, arcade, Band-Aid, barmaid, Belgrade, blockade, bondmaid, bridesmaid, brigade, brocade, cascade, charade, clichéd, cockade, corrade, cross-trade, crusade, decade, degrade, dissuade, downgrade, evade, eyeshade, fair-trade, first aid, glissade, grenade, handmade, homemade, housemaid, inlaid, invade, limeade, low-grade, man-made, mermaid, milkmaid, navaid, nightshade, nursemaid, old maid, parade, persuade, pervade, plain-laid, pomade, postpaid, sacheted, scalade, sea-maid, self-made, stockade, sunshade, switchblade, torsade, twayblade, twice-laid, unbraid, unlade, unmade, unpaid, upbraid, upgrade
AFRAID Defined for Kids
afraid
adjective \ə-ˈfrād\
Definition of AFRAID for Kids
1
: filled with fear <She was afraid of snakes.>
2
: filled with concern or regret <I'm afraid I won't be able to go.>
3
: having a dislike for something <They're not afraid to work hard.>
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