adjective
afraid
uh-FRAYD/əˈfreɪd/
Feeling apprehensive about something unwelcome.
The man is afraid of the snarling dog before him.
Etymology
Old French esfreer meant to worry or disturb someone. Afraid began as the past participle of a verb meaning “frighten,” so it described someone affected by fright before becoming an adjective for fear or worry.
In context
But the real capacity of the fear system is that we can become afraid of anything provided that this threat system is activated in conjunction with some external experience.
More examples
- She was afraid to step onto the narrow bridge.
- Do not be afraid to ask for help.
- I am afraid the tickets have already sold out.
Similar words
- frightened
- Usually points to a stronger or more immediate experience of fear.
- apprehensive
- Emphasizes worry about something that might happen.