Reading Theme:
Fear: Meaning, Usage, and Examples (2 meaning)
Meaning 1：apprehension (fear)
fear
/fɪr/
n./v.
A feeling you get when you think something bad might happen, like danger, pain, or something unknown.
apprehension
➕
/ˌæprɪˈhɛnʃən/
n./v.
A feeling of anxiety or dread about a possible threat or danger.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Root Explanation
From Old English fǣr 'sudden danger'; related to Old High German fāra 'ambush'.
💡 Mnemonic
Think of 'F.E.A.R.' as 'Face Everything And Rise' — a positive twist to overcome fear.
📖 Example
The little girl felt a sudden fear when the lights went out in her room.
The little girl felt a sudden fear when the lights went out in her room.
🔗 Collocations
in fear – in a state of fear
fear of – the feeling of being afraid of something
fear for – worry about someone's safety
🔄 Synonyms
🚫 Antonyms
courage (n.) – Ability to overcome fear
bravery (n.) – Quality of being brave
confidence (n.) – Feeling of self-assurance
🌱 Derivatives
📖 Cultural Story
Fear originally meant 'sudden danger' in Old English, evolving to the emotion of anticipation of harm. It appears in idioms like 'for fear of' and is central to the phrase 'fear of missing out' (FOMO).
Meaning 2：dread (fear)
fear
/fɪr/
n./v.
To feel scared or worried about something that might happen.
dread
➕
/drɛd/
n./v.
To be afraid of something or someone; to feel anxious about a possible event.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Example
Many people fear public speaking more than anything else.
Many people fear public speaking more than anything else.
🔗 Collocations
fear doing something – to be afraid of doing something
fear for someone – to worry about someone's safety
fear the worst – to think that the worst possible thing will happen
🔄 Synonyms
🚫 Antonyms
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