afraid

adjective

ə-ˈfrād 

Southern also ə-ˈfred

1

: filled with fear or apprehension

afraid of machines

was afraid for his job

2

: filled with concern or regret over an unwanted situation

I'm afraid I won't be able to go.

3

: having a dislike for something

She's not afraid of hard work. [=she's not unwilling to work hard]

Synonyms of afraid

• scared
• frightened
• terrified
• fearful
• horrified
• alarmed
• shocked
• worried

Choose the Right Synonym for afraid

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

Examples of afraid in a Sentence

Melissa is afraid of flying, so she takes a train from Boston to visit her brother in Chicago.

Recent Examples on the Web

Do not be afraid of the language of class warfare — the rich versus the poor, the oligarchs versus the citizens, the capitalists versus the proletariat. —James Folta, Literary Hub, 23 Jan. 2026

The fear caused by her masked goons and their disregard of due process leaves us citizens afraid to leave their homes. —Mia Cathell, The Washington Examiner, 22 Jan. 2026

Cal-Optima also is stepping up virtual doctor visits for members afraid to venture out because of immigration raids. —Tony Saavedra, Oc Register, 22 Jan. 2026

Don’t be afraid to take your time and tackle the project over several weeks or months—whatever feels right. —Cori Sears, The Spruce, 22 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English affraied, afraied, from past participle of affraien "to disturb, frighten" — more at affray entry 2

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing afraid

• afraid for
• afraid not
• afraid so
• afraid to say

Rhymes for afraid

• allayed
• arcade
• arrayed
• assayed
• barmaid
• betrayed
• blockade
• bridesmaid
• brigade
• brocade
• buffeted
• cascade

Kids Definition

afraid

adjective

ə-ˈfrād 

Southern also -ˈfre(ə)d

1

: filled with fear or dread

afraid of snakes

2

: filled with concern or regret

afraid she might be late

3

: having a dislike for something

not afraid to work hard

Etymology

Middle English affraied "filled with fear," from affraien "to frighten," from early French affraier, effreer "to frighten" — related to fray entry 1