afraid
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a·fraid
(ə-frād′)adj.
1. Filled with fear; frightened: afraid of ghosts; afraid to die; afraid for his life.
2. Having feelings of aversion or unwillingness in regard to something: not afraid of hard work; afraid to show emotion.
3. Filled with regret or concern. Used especially to soften an unpleasant statement: I'm afraid you're wrong.
[Middle English affraied, past participle of affraien, to frighten, from Old French esfraier, esfreer, to disturb, of Germanic origin; see prī- in Indo-European roots.]
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
afraid
(əˈfreɪd)adj (postpositive)
1. (often foll by of) feeling fear or apprehension; frightened: he was afraid of cats.
2. reluctant (to do something), as through fear or timidity: he was afraid to let himself go.
3. (often foll by: that; used to lessen the effect of an unpleasant statement) regretful: I'm afraid that I shall have to tell you to go.
[C14: affraied, past participle of affray (to frighten)]
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014
a•fraid
(əˈfreɪd)adj.
1. feeling fear; filled with apprehension: to be afraid to go.
2. feeling regret or unhappiness: I'm afraid we can't go on Monday.
3. feeling reluctance or unwillingness: He was afraid to show his emotions.
[variant sp. of affrayed, past participle of affray]
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.
afraid
– frightened1. 'afraid' and 'frightened'
If you are afraid or frightened, you feel fear because you think something bad will happen.
The children were so afraid that they ran away.
She felt frightened.
You can also say that you are afraid of someone or something, or frightened of them.
Tom is afraid of the dark.
They are frightened of their father.
If you don't want to do something because you think it might be harmful or dangerous, you can say that you are afraid to do it or frightened to do it.
Many crime victims are afraid to go to the police.
She was frightened to go out on her own.
Be Careful!
Afraid is used only after linking verbs such as be and feel. Don't use it in front of a noun. For example, don't talk about 'an afraid child'. However, you can talk about 'a frightened child'.
He was acting like a frightened kid.
2. another meaning of 'afraid'
If you are worried about something, you can say that you are afraid of doing something wrong, or afraid that something will happen. You don't usually use 'frightened' in this way.
She was afraid that I might be embarrassed.
She was afraid of being late for school.
3. 'I'm afraid...'
If you have to tell someone something and you think it might upset or annoy them, you can politely say 'I'm afraid...', 'I'm afraid so', or 'I'm afraid not'. 'I'm afraid so' means 'yes'. 'I'm afraid not' means 'no', and both of these expressions are used as responses to questions.
'I'm afraid Sue isn't at her desk at the moment. Can I take a message?'
'I hear she's leaving. Is that right?' – 'I'm afraid so.'
'Can you come round this evening?' – 'I'm afraid not.'
Collins COBUILD English Usage © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 2004, 2011, 2012
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
Switch to new thesaurus
| Adj. | 1. |  afraid - filled with fear or apprehension; "afraid even to turn his head"; "suddenly looked afraid"; "afraid for his life"; "afraid of snakes"; "afraid to ask questions"timid - showing fear and lack of confidence |
| 2. | afraid - filled with regret or concern; used often to soften an unpleasant statement; "I'm afraid I won't be able to come"; "he was afraid he would have to let her go"; "I'm afraid you're wrong" concerned - feeling or showing worry or solicitude; "concerned parents of youthful offenders"; "was concerned about the future"; "we feel concerned about accomplishing the task at hand"; "greatly concerned not to disappoint a small child" | |
| 3. |  afraid - feeling worry or concern or insecurity; "She was afraid that I might be embarrassed"; "terribly afraid of offending someone"; "I am afraid we have witnessed only the first phase of the conflict"concerned - feeling or showing worry or solicitude; "concerned parents of youthful offenders"; "was concerned about the future"; "we feel concerned about accomplishing the task at hand"; "greatly concerned not to disappoint a small child" | |
| 4. | afraid - having feelings of aversion or unwillingness; "afraid of hard work"; "afraid to show emotion" disinclined - unwilling because of mild dislike or disapproval; "disinclined to say anything to anybody" |
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.
afraid
adjective
1. scared, frightened, nervous, anxious, terrified, shaken, alarmed, startled, suspicious, intimidated, fearful, cowardly, timid, apprehensive, petrified, panicky, panic-stricken, timorous, faint-hearted, scared shitless (taboo slang), shit-scared (taboo slang) She did not seem at all afraid. He's afraid to sleep in his own bedroom.
scared bold, indifferent, fearless, audacious, unafraid, inapprehensive
scared bold, indifferent, fearless, audacious, unafraid, inapprehensive
2. reluctant, slow, frightened, scared, unwilling, backward, hesitant, recalcitrant, loath, disinclined, unenthusiastic, indisposed He seems to live in an ivory tower, afraid to enter the real world.
3. anxious, concerned, worried, troubled, bothered, nervous, disturbed, tense, fearful, apprehensive, perturbed, on edge, overwrought, fretful I was afraid that nobody would believe me.
4. sorry, apologetic, regretful, sad, distressed, unhappy I'm afraid I can't help you.
sorry happy, pleased
sorry happy, pleased
Collins Thesaurus of the English Language – Complete and Unabridged 2nd Edition. 2002 © HarperCollins Publishers 1995, 2002
afraid
adjectiveThe American Heritage® Roget's Thesaurus. Copyright © 2013, 2014 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Translations
خَائِفخائِفمُتَأسِّف
bát sebohuželpoděšenývystrašený
bangebange forked af
peloissaan
uplašen
féltart
takut
hrædduròykja leitt/miîur
･･･が怖い
...을 두려워하여
bijantisgailaišsigandęs
baidītiesdiemžēlnobijies
bojaci sa
bati se
rädd
กลัว
sợ
afraid
[əˈfreɪd] ADJ1. (= frightened) to be afraid → tener miedo
don't be afraid → no tengas miedo
I was afraid that nobody would believe me → tenía miedo de que nadie me creyera, temía que nadie me creyera
I was afraid to ask → me daba miedo preguntar → tenía miedo de preguntar
to be afraid for sb → temer por algn
to be afraid for sb's life → temer por la vida de algn
she suddenly looked afraid → de repente parecía asustada
to be afraid of sth/sb → tener miedo de algo/a algn, temer algo/a algn (more frm)
they're afraid of you → te tienen miedo
he was afraid of losing his job → tenía miedo de perder su trabajo, temía perder su trabajo (more frm)
she's afraid of flying → le da miedo volar
I'm afraid of dogs → los perros me dan miedo → les tengo miedo a los perros
you have nothing to be afraid of → no tienes nada que temer
he's not afraid of hard work → el trabajo duro no le asusta
I was afraid of that → me lo temía
to be afraid of one's own shadow → tener miedo hasta de su propia sombra
don't be afraid → no tengas miedo
I was afraid that nobody would believe me → tenía miedo de que nadie me creyera, temía que nadie me creyera
I was afraid to ask → me daba miedo preguntar → tenía miedo de preguntar
to be afraid for sb → temer por algn
to be afraid for sb's life → temer por la vida de algn
she suddenly looked afraid → de repente parecía asustada
to be afraid of sth/sb → tener miedo de algo/a algn, temer algo/a algn (more frm)
they're afraid of you → te tienen miedo
he was afraid of losing his job → tenía miedo de perder su trabajo, temía perder su trabajo (more frm)
she's afraid of flying → le da miedo volar
I'm afraid of dogs → los perros me dan miedo → les tengo miedo a los perros
you have nothing to be afraid of → no tienes nada que temer
he's not afraid of hard work → el trabajo duro no le asusta
I was afraid of that → me lo temía
to be afraid of one's own shadow → tener miedo hasta de su propia sombra
Collins Spanish Dictionary - Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005
afraid
[əˈfreɪd] adj (= frightened) → effrayé(e)
She looked afraid → Elle avait l'air effrayé.
There's no need to be afraid
BUT Il n'y a pas de quoi avoir peur.
to be afraid of sb/sth → avoir peur de qn/qch
I'm afraid of spiders → J'ai peur des araignées.
There's nothing to be afraid of
BUT Il n'y a rien à craindre.
to be afraid to do sth → avoir peur de faire qch
to be afraid of doing sth → avoir peur de faire qch
to be afraid for sb → avoir peur pour qn
don't be afraid to do ... (expressing reassurance) → n'hésitez pas à faire ...
Don't be afraid to ask questions → N'hésitez pas à poser des questions.
She looked afraid → Elle avait l'air effrayé.
There's no need to be afraid
BUT Il n'y a pas de quoi avoir peur.
to be afraid of sb/sth → avoir peur de qn/qch
I'm afraid of spiders → J'ai peur des araignées.
There's nothing to be afraid of
BUT Il n'y a rien à craindre.
to be afraid to do sth → avoir peur de faire qch
to be afraid of doing sth → avoir peur de faire qch
to be afraid for sb → avoir peur pour qn
don't be afraid to do ... (expressing reassurance) → n'hésitez pas à faire ...
Don't be afraid to ask questions → N'hésitez pas à poser des questions.
(expressing regret)
He's not here, I'm afraid → Je suis désolé, mais il n'est pas là.
I am afraid (that) ... → je crains que ... + subj, je crains de ... + infin
I'm afraid I can't come → Je crains de ne pouvoir venir.
I'm afraid he can't come → Je crains qu'il ne puisse pas venir.
I'm afraid so → oui, malheureusement, j'en ai bien peur
I'm afraid not → hélas, non
He's not here, I'm afraid → Je suis désolé, mais il n'est pas là.
I am afraid (that) ... → je crains que ... + subj, je crains de ... + infin
I'm afraid I can't come → Je crains de ne pouvoir venir.
I'm afraid he can't come → Je crains qu'il ne puisse pas venir.
I'm afraid so → oui, malheureusement, j'en ai bien peur
I'm afraid not → hélas, non
Collins English/French Electronic Resource. © HarperCollins Publishers 2005
afraid
adj pred
(= frightened) to be afraid (of somebody/something) → (vor jdm/etw) Angst haben, sich (vor jdm/etw) fürchten; don’t be afraid! → keine Angst!; it’s quite safe, there’s nothing to be afraid of → es ist ganz sicher, Sie brauchen keine Angst zu haben; go and talk to him then, there’s nothing to be afraid of → geh und sprich mit ihm, da ist doch nichts dabei; I am afraid of hurting him or that I might hurt him → ich fürchte, ihm wehzutun or ich könnte ihm wehtun; I am afraid he will or might hurt me, I am afraid lest he (might) hurt me → ich fürchte, er könnte mir wehtun; to make somebody afraid → jdm Angst machen or einjagen, jdn ängstigen; I am afraid to leave her alone → ich habe Angst davor, sie allein zu lassen; I was afraid of not being precise enough → ich fürchtete, dass ich mich nicht genau genug ausdrückte; I was afraid of waking the children → ich wollte die Kinder nicht wecken; to be afraid of work → arbeitsscheu sein; he’s not afraid of hard work → er scheut schwere Arbeit nicht, er hat keine Angst vor schwerer Arbeit; he’s not afraid to say what he thinks → er scheut sich nicht zu sagen, was er denkt; that’s what I was afraid of, I was afraid that would happen → das habe ich befürchtet; go on, do it, what are you afraid of? → tus doch, wovor hast du denn Angst?; I was afraid you’d ask that → ich habe diese Frage befürchtet; to be afraid for somebody/something (= worried) → Angst um jdn/etw haben; to be afraid for one’s life → Angst um sein Leben haben
(expressing polite regret) I’m afraid I can’t do it → leider kann ich es nicht machen; there’s nothing I can do, I’m afraid → ich kann da leider gar nichts machen; I’m afraid to say that … → ich muss Ihnen leider sagen, dass …; I’m afraid you’ll have to wait → Sie müssen leider warten; are you going? — I’m afraid not/I’m afraid so → gehst du? — leider nicht/ja, leider; well, I’m afraid you’re wrong → so leid es mir tut, aber Sie haben unrecht; can I go now? — no, I’m afraid you can’t → kann ich jetzt gehen? — nein, tut mir leid, noch nicht
Collins German Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged 7th Edition 2005. © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1980 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2005, 2007
afraid
[əˈfreɪd] adj → impaurito/ato be afraid → aver paura
to be afraid for sb → temere per qn, preoccuparsi per qn
to be afraid of sb/sth → aver paura di qn/qc
I was afraid to ask → avevo paura di or non osavo domandare
I'm afraid of hurting her → temo di or ho paura di farle male
I'm afraid he's out (regret) → mi rincresce or dispiace, ma è fuori
I'm afraid I have to go now → mi dispiace, ma adesso devo proprio andare
I'm afraid so! → ho paura di sì!, temo proprio di sì!
I'm afraid not → no, mi dispiace, purtroppo no
I am afraid that I'll be late → mi dispiace, ma farò tardi
Collins Italian Dictionary 1st Edition © HarperCollins Publishers 1995
afraid
(əˈfreid) adjective1. feeling fear or being frightened (of a person, thing etc). The child is not afraid of the dark; She was afraid to go.
2. sorry (to have to say that). I'm afraid I don't agree with you.
Kernerman English Multilingual Dictionary © 2006-2013 K Dictionaries Ltd.
afraid
→ خائِف vystrašený bange fürchten (sich) φοβισμένος temeroso peloissaan effrayé uplašen timoroso ･･･が怖い ...을 두려워하여 bang redd przestraszony com medo испуганный rädd กลัว korkmuş sợ 害怕Multilingual Translator © HarperCollins Publishers 2009
afraid
a. temeroso-a, miedoso-a, intimidado-a;
v.
to be ___ → tener miedo.
English-Spanish Medical Dictionary © Farlex 2012
afraid
adj to be — tener miedo, temer; Are you afraid of needles?..¿Les tiene miedo a las agujas?… I’m afraid that..Me temo queEnglish-Spanish/Spanish-English Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.