Definition of AFRAID

afraid

Meanings

Adjective

  • 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"

Adjective Satellite

  • 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"
  • 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"
  • having feelings of aversion or unwillingness
    • "afraid of hard work"
    • "afraid to show emotion"

Adj

  • Impressed with fear or apprehension; in fear.
  • Regretful, sorry; expressing a reluctance to face an unpleasant situation.
  • Worried about, feeling concern for, fearing for (someone or something).

Origin / Etymology

From Middle English affrayed, affraied, past participle of afraien (“to affray”), from Anglo-Norman afrayer (“to terrify, disquiet, disturb”), from Old French effreer, esfreer (“to disturb, remove the peace from”), from es- (“out”) + freer (“to secure, secure the peace”), from Frankish *friþu (“security, peace”), from Proto-Germanic *friþuz (“peace”), from Proto-Germanic *frijōną (“to free; to love”), from Proto-Indo-European *prāy-, *prēy- (“to like, love”). By surface analysis, affray + -ed. Compare also afeard. More at free, friend.

Antonyms

brave, calm, unafraid

Scrabble Score: 10

afraid is a valid Scrabble (US) TWL word
afraid is a valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
afraid is a valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 10

afraid is a valid Words With Friends word