Afraid Definition, Pronunciation, and Usage Examples

Meaning 1：scared (afraid)

afraid 🔊

/əˈfreɪd/

adj.

having fear; worried that something bad might happen.

Afraid person walking alone at night looking over shoulder

scared 🔊

➕

/skeərd/

adj.

Experiencing a sense of fear or anxiety about a potential threat or negative outcome.

📁 Category：Physical & Mental Health 🔖 Level：beginner

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

Affix: a- (intensifier) + fraid (from Old French 'effreer' to frighten).

💡 Mnemonic

Think 'a frayed' rope about to snap—that nervous tension is exactly what being afraid feels like.

📖 Example

Even though I'm an adult, I'm still a little afraid of the dark when I'm home alone at night. 🔊 Even though I'm an adult, I'm still a little afraid of the dark when I'm home alone at night.

🔗 Collocations

afraid of – feeling fear about something

afraid to – hesitant or unwilling to do something due to fear

afraid that – worried that a certain negative outcome may occur

🔄 Synonyms

scared (adj.) – Feeling fear or anxiety.

frightened (adj.) – Suddenly filled with fear.

terrified (adj.) – Extremely frightened.

🚫 Antonyms

brave (adj.) – Ready to face and endure danger or pain.

fearless (adj.) – Lacking fear.

unafraid (adj.) – Not feeling fear.

📖 Cultural Story

Etymologically, 'afraid' traces to Latin 'exfridare' (to break the peace), via Old French 'affrayer'. Originally meant 'disturbed', evolving to 'frightened'.