| afraid | (adj) filled with fear or apprehension, Ant. unafraid, Example: afraid even to turn his head; suddenly looked afraid; afraid for his life; afraid of snakes; afraid to ask questions |
| afraid | (adj) filled with regret or concern; used often to soften an unpleasant statement, Example: 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 |
| afraid | (adj) feeling worry or concern or insecurity, Example: 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 |
| afraid | (adj) having feelings of aversion or unwillingness, Example: afraid of hard work; afraid to show emotion |
| Afraid | p. a. [ OE. afrayed, affraide, p. p. of afraien to affray. See Affray, and cf. Afeard. ] Impressed with fear or apprehension; in fear; apprehensive. [ Afraid comes after the noun it limits. ] “Back they recoiled, afraid.” Milton. [ 1913 Webster ] ☞ This word expresses a less degree of fear than terrified or frightened. It is followed by of before the object of fear, or by the infinitive, or by a dependent clause; as, to be afraid of death. “I am afraid to die.” “I am afraid he will chastise me.” “Be not afraid that I your hand should take.” Shak. I am afraid is sometimes used colloquially to soften a statement; as, I am afraid I can not help you in this matter. [ 1913 Webster ] |