fear

The word “fear” means a strong, unpleasant feeling caused by the sense of danger or threat. In plain terms, the feeling of being afraid, or to be afraid of something.

“Fear” is pronounced FEER (/ˈfɪɚ/ in IPA).

Here is “fear” used in a sentence: “She felt a sudden fear when the lights went out.”

Words with a similar meaning to “fear” include afraidness.

The opposite of “fear” — its antonyms — are courage, belittle and contemn.

Depending on how it is used, “fear” can be a noun and a verb.

The word “fear” comes from Old English. From Old English fær, meaning "sudden danger or calamity," related to Dutch gevaar and German Gefahr ("danger").

“Fear” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.

Fear is a response to a real, present danger — something identifiable in front of you. Anxiety is more diffuse: worry about a threat that is uncertain, imagined, or still in the future. Fear tends to fade once the danger passes, while anxiety can linger without a clear cause.

Fear is a normal, proportionate reaction to genuine danger. A phobia is an intense, persistent fear that is out of proportion to the actual threat, often of a specific object or situation. Phobias can disrupt daily life and are recognised as a type of anxiety disorder.

Yes. Although it feels unpleasant, fear is a survival mechanism that alerts you to danger and prepares the body to react — the familiar 'fight or flight' response. In safe amounts it sharpens focus and keeps you cautious. It only becomes harmful when it is excessive or constant.

The most common opposite is courage or bravery — not the absence of fear, but the ability to act despite it. Words like confidence, calm, and security also stand against fear, describing the settled state of mind you feel when no threat or danger is present.