Dictionary
fearful
adjective fear·ful \ˈfir-fəl\
: feeling fear
: showing or caused by fear
: very bad or extreme
Full Definition of FEARFUL
1
: causing or likely to cause fear, fright, or alarm especially because of dangerous quality <a fearful storm>
2
a : full of fear <fearful for his safety> b : indicating or arising from fear <a fearful glance> c : inclined to fear : timorous
3
: very great or bad —used as an intensive <a fearful waste> <fearful slum conditions>
— fear·ful·ly \-f(ə-)lē\ adverb
— fear·ful·ness \-fəl-nəs\ noun
See fearful defined for English-language learners
See fearful defined for kids
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First Known Use of FEARFUL
14th century
Related to FEARFUL
- Synonyms
- alarming, dire, direful, dread, dreadful, fearsome, forbidding, formidable, frightening, frightful, ghastly, hair-raising, horrendous, horrible, horrifying, intimidating, redoubtable, scary, shocking, spine-chilling, terrible, terrifying
- Antonyms
- adventuresome, adventurous, audacious, bold, daring, dashing, gutsy, hardy, venturesome, venturous
Synonym Discussion of FEARFUL
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>.
FEARFULNESS Defined for Kids
fearful
adjective fear·ful \ˈfir-fəl\
Definition of FEARFUL for Kids
1
: causing fear <the fearful roar of a lion>
2
: filled with fear <I was fearful of failing the test.>
3
: showing or caused by fear <a fearful expression>
— fear·ful·ly \-fə-lē\ adverb
— fear·ful·ness noun
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