afraid
uh-FRAYD
Afraid (adj) means feeling fear; frightened. Example: “She was afraid of the dark as a child.”
adj
1
Feeling fear; frightened.
"She was afraid of the dark as a child."
"He's afraid of spiders."
"The puppy was afraid of the loud thunder outside."
2
Used to soften bad news or a polite refusal; sorry to say.
"I'm afraid we're fully booked tonight."
"I'm afraid that's not possible."
"I'm afraid the manager is out of the office until Monday."
3
Worried about someone or something; concerned for their safety or outcome.
"She was afraid for her son's safety on the trip."
"He was afraid for his job after the merger."
"Parents often feel afraid for their children when they first start driving."
How to use afraid
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishFrightened, or (in polite speech) sorry to have to say something.
Common mistake
"I'm afraid so/not" is a stock polite phrase for delivering unwelcome news, not literal fear.
Common pairings
afraid of the dark
I'm afraid so
afraid to admit
afraid for someone
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more afraid
- Superlative
- most afraid
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She was _____ of the dark as a child.
Etymology
From Middle English affrayed, the past participle of a verb meaning "to disturb the peace," ultimately from Old French — the same root that gives us "affray."
Synonyms
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nervous
afeared
alarmed
anxious
apprehensive
chicken
concerned
creeped out
fearful
frightened
frit
horrified
Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for afraid
See all rhymes for afraid →Frequently asked questions
What does “afraid” mean?
The word “afraid” means feeling fear; frightened. In plain terms, frightened, or (in polite speech) sorry to have to say something.
How do you pronounce “afraid”?
“Afraid” is pronounced uh-FRAYD (/əˈfɹeɪd/ in IPA).
How do you use “afraid” in a sentence?
Here is “afraid” used in a sentence: “She was afraid of the dark as a child.”
What is another word for “afraid”?
Words with a similar meaning to “afraid” include afeared, alarmed, anxious, apprehensive, chicken and concerned.
What is the opposite of “afraid”?
The opposite of “afraid” — its antonyms — are brave, calm and unafraid.
What part of speech is “afraid”?
“Afraid” is an adjective.
Where does the word “afraid” come from?
The word “afraid” comes from Old French. From Middle English affrayed, the past participle of a verb meaning "to disturb the peace," ultimately from Old French — the same root that gives us "affray.".
Is “afraid” a common word?
“Afraid” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
What is the difference between afraid and scared?
The two are very close and usually interchangeable, both meaning to feel fear. Scared is more casual and often suggests a sudden fright, while afraid is slightly more formal and works well for lasting or general fear. One quirk: afraid is used before a noun far less than scared. We say "a scared child," rarely "an afraid child."
What does 'I'm afraid' mean when being polite?
In polite English, "I'm afraid" often signals regret rather than fear. Saying "I'm afraid we're closed" is a gentle, courteous way to deliver bad or unwelcome news, meaning roughly "I'm sorry to say." The speaker is not frightened at all; it simply softens the disappointment for the listener.
What is the difference between afraid and frightened?
Both mean feeling fear, and they overlap heavily. Frightened tends to describe the reaction to a specific, immediate scare, while afraid can also cover ongoing dread or worry about something in the future. You might be frightened by a sudden noise, yet afraid of what tomorrow will bring.
What is the opposite of afraid?
The opposite of afraid is a word meaning free from fear, such as unafraid, fearless, brave, or confident. Which fits best depends on context: "unafraid" simply negates the fear, while "brave" and "fearless" suggest actively facing danger. "Confident" works when the fear was really anxiety or self-doubt.
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