Emotions / A2

uh-FRAYD/əˈfreɪd/

Afraid means you feel fear: afraid of the dark, afraid of flying. It almost always comes after be: I am afraid, not “an afraid child” — use frightened or scared before a noun. I’m afraid also softens bad news: I’m afraid we are closed. Frightened and scared are close; terrified is much stronger.

Meaning

Feeling fear; frightened.

Examples

• “The child was afraid of the dark.”
• “She is afraid of dogs.”
• “I am afraid the train is cancelled.”

Good to know

be afraid of + noun. Before a noun: frightened / scared. Softener: I’m afraid…

Near in meaning

scared, frightened

Topics

New