afraida‧fraid /əˈfreɪd/ ●●● S1 W2 adjective [not before noun] 
There’s no need to be afraid.afraid of something Many children are afraid of the dark.afraid of somebody I was a little afraid of him when I first met him.afraid of doing something Some old people are afraid of going out alone.afraid to do something Zoe was afraid to go back into the house.► see thesaurus at frightenedRegisterIn everyday English, people often say scared rather than afraid:· I’m scared of heights.2worried that something bad will happen as a result of your actionsafraid (that) He was afraid that the other kids would laugh at him. She was half afraid that he would say no (=a little afraid).afraid of doing something I didn’t tell her because I was afraid of upsetting her.afraid of something The government was afraid of the reaction from the public.afraid to do something Don’t be afraid to ask for help.3 afraid for somebody/something worried that something bad may happen to a particular person or thing: Her father looked ill and she was suddenly afraid for him. Many of us were afraid for our jobs.4I’m afraid spoken used to politely tell someone something that may annoy, upset, or disappoint them: That’s the most we can offer you, I’m afraid.afraid (that) I’m afraid you’ve come to the wrong address. ‘Is she very ill?’ ‘I’m afraid so (=yes).’ ‘Did you see him?’ ‘I’m afraid not (=no).’GRAMMAR: Comparisonafraid, frightened, scared• You feel afraid of someone or something: · A lot of people are afraid of snakes. ✗Don’t say: afraid about something• You feel afraid to do something: · I was afraid to tell anyone.• You can use the same patterns with frightened and scared: · I was frightened of my father.· She was too scared to talk.worried• You feel worried about someone or something: · I was worried about my father.• You feel worried by something that has happened: · Many people were worried by the news.
WORD ORIGINafraid
Origin:
1300-1400 Past participle of affray ‘to frighten’ (14-19 centuries), from Old French affreer; ➔ AFFRAYEXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- Billy was afraid his aunt would punish him if he owned up.
- Don't be afraid. I won't hurt you.
- He had a terrible temper and everyone was afraid of him.
- I could see she was afraid.
- I didn't tell anyone, because I was afraid of being punished.
- It's amazing how many people are afraid of spiders.
- She was afraid to speak up in front of all these important people.
- For centuries, no one had come along who could make him afraid.
- He was not afraid to throw less-touted Charlie Garner into the running-back mix.
- I am afraid I don't know his second name, but I have been his friend since he was a boy.
- I am afraid there will be a good deal of suffering among the poor this winter.
- I have learned not to be afraid of fire.
- I was afraid to turn around and look at all the others being kept out.
- Now that he could do nothing, he felt afraid.
- We were afraid that this proud and energetic man might be forced to lie there paralyzed and helpless until his death.
THESAURUS
feeling worried because you might get hurt or because something bad might happen: · I was too frightened to say anything.· Many animals are frightened of fireworks.· Frightened residents called the police as the gang started throwing bricks.
[not before noun] especially spoken frightened. Scared is less formal than frightened and is the usual word to use in everyday English: · I’m scared of dogs.· Old people are too scared to go out of their homes.
[not before noun] frightened. Afraid sounds more formal than frightened or scared: · Children are often afraid of the dark.· I was afraid that I might say the wrong thing.
frightened and worried that something bad might happen: · She was alarmed at the thought of performing in front of an audience.· Alarmed passengers spotted fuel leaking from the plane.
formal frightened that something bad might happen: · They are fearful of another terrorist attack.· He was fearful that he might make another mistake.· a fearful panic
Longman Language Activatorfrightened of someone or something feeling very nervous and afraid of someone or something, because you think something bad is going to happen to you because of them: · Don't be frightened, it's only thunder.· Two frightened children were hiding in a corner of the room.frightened of: · A lot of people are frightened of dentists.· Are you frightened of the dark?frightened to do something: · I was frightened to move in case the branch broke.frightened of doing something: · He was frightened of making mistakes.frightened (that): · I was frightened my parents would get divorced, and wished that there was something I could do to make them happy again. · Alice kept perfectly still, frightened that the dog might attack her.
frightened: · Don't be afraid. I won't hurt you.afraid of: · He had a terrible temper and everyone was afraid of him.· It's amazing how many people are afraid of spiders.afraid (that): · Billy was afraid his aunt would punish him if he owned up.afraid to do something: · She was afraid to speak up in front of all these important people.afraid of doing something: · I didn't tell anyone, because I was afraid of being punished (=afraid I might be punished).
especially spoken frightened: · The first time I went on a motorcycle I was really scared.scared of: · She's always been scared of heights.scared to do something: · I stood still, scared to move forward and scared to go back.scared of doing something: · I think they were all scared of offending him.scared (that): · I hate reading out my work in class - I'm scared that people are going to laugh at me.scared stiff/scared to death (=very scared): · When he came back he looked scared stiff, as if he'd seen a ghost.
extremely frightened: · The faces of the four terrified teenagers looked up at us.terrified of: · He's absolutely terrified of snakes.terrified to do something: · The little boy cowered behind the tree, terrified to make a sound.terrified (that): · I was terrified that my father would find out I had lied to him.absolutely terrified : · I couldn't move - I was absolutely terrified.
extremely frightened, especially so frightened that you cannot move: · She just stood there, petrified at the thought of the crowds waiting outside.absolutely petrified: · He had the gun pointed at my head. I was absolutely petrified.petrified of: · She's a very nervous dog, and she's petrified of traffic.be petrified with fear: · He was petrified with fear as I held my knife in front of him.
so frightened that you cannot think clearly or behave sensibly, especially when something has suddenly frightened you: · A few seconds after the explosion the street was full of panic-stricken people, fleeing in all directions.· Mr Cottle dashed in, looking panic-stricken.· In a panic-stricken attempt to free herself from Annie's grip, she snatched the scissors off the table.
to always be afraid of something unpleasant that is fairly likely to happen: · Until security can be assured, the people here will continue to live in fear.live in fear of something/doing something: · After leaking the secret document, Sarah lived in fear of being found out.live in fear (that): · A surgeon lives in constant fear that something will go wrong in an operation when he's feeling tired.
informal extremely frightened: · You must have been scared stiff when you saw the car coming straight towards you.· Helen had to go for an interview with the school Principal -- she was scared stiff.· I knew a man was following me, and I was scared out of my wits.· Some of the prisoners were only 16 or 17, and they looked scared to death.
when you do not want to do something because you are frightened to be unwilling to do something because you are frightened about what may happen if you do it. Be scared is more informal than be afraid or be frightened: · I wanted to talk to you about it, but I was frightened.· We are urging our citizens to carry on as normal and not be afraid.· A lot of young children are frightened the first time they are put on a horse's back.be afraid/be frightened/be scared to do something: · Many old people are afraid to go out at night.be afraid/be frightened/be scared of doing something: · She asked me to come with her because she was scared of going there on her own.· He's frightened of flying in case there's a bomb on the plane.be afraid/be frightened/be scared (that): · She was afraid that if she went to the police, her husband would beat her up again.
to be unwilling to do something because you are extremely frightened about what may happen if you do it: · When my name was finally called I was terrified.be terrified (that): · I didn't tell my parents I was pregnant. I was terrified that they would throw me out of the house.be terrified of doing something: · They always travel by boat because Jimmy's terrified of flying.be terrified to do something: · She was too terrified to jump from the flames.
to feel worried and frightened about something you have to do: · I have to go to the dentist's tomorrow, and I'm dreading it.dread doing something: · The Wilsons were coming back from holiday today, and I was dreading telling them what had happened while they were away.
written to be frightened about what may happen if you do something: · Many of the gang's victims refused to give information to the police because they feared reprisals.fear (that): · The rescuers dug slowly and carefully, fearing that the wreckage might collapse on top of them.
formal to be unwilling to do something because you are worried about the possibility of trouble or danger: be fearful of: · The Energy Department, fearful of public reaction, has cancelled its plans to build four new nuclear reactors.be fearful of doing something: · The threats left her plagued by nightmares, and fearful of making public appearances. be fearful (that): · She gave up smoking when she was pregnant, fearful that it might damage her baby.
if you are unwilling to do something for fear of something bad happening, you are frightened that something bad will happen if you do it: · The workers are unhappy but will not complain for fear of losing their jobs.· I didn't turn on the light, for fear of waking the baby.· Women and the elderly refuse to leave their apartments, for fear of the hooligans who rule the streets.
to have a strong and unreasonable dislike and fear of something, especially of something that is not frightening for most people: · Carol had a phobia about snakes -- even talking about them made her shiver.· She has a phobia about telephone answering machines and will never leave a message.
fear of being in high places · He refused to climb the ladder because of his fear of heights.· She overcame her fear of heights and did a parachute jump for charity.
to feel frightened when you are in high places: · Hiking this trail is not recommended for people who are afraid of heights.· She's so scared of heights we couldn't get her to go parasailing.
formal a feeling that things are moving and that you are going to fall, that you get especially when you are on or in a high place: · Just the thought of standing on the balcony gave her vertigo.
ways of saying no to a question, request, or suggestion use this when someone asks you a question or makes a request or suggestion: · "Are you Italian?" "No, I'm Spanish."· "Shall I help you?" "No, no -- I can do it on my own, thanks."the answer's no: · If she asks to borrow any more money, the answer's no!
use this when what someone has suggested is not at all true, or when saying you do not mind at all if someone does something: · "Your boys are keen on sport, aren't they?" "Not at all - just the opposite in fact."· "Is my radio bothering you?" "Not at all -- I'm quite enjoying it."· "I'd like to be on my own for a while. Do you mind?" "Not at all," she said kindly.
use this when saying that you are sorry that you cannot do something that someone has asked you to do, do not have something someone has asked you for etc: · "Are you coming to the barbecue tomorrow?" "No, I'm afraid not. I've promised to go and see my Mum."· "Have you got change for £20?" "No, I'm afraid not."
use this to say no very strongly, when you think what someone has suggested or asked is clearly unlikely or stupid: · "Are you serious about Sam?" "Of course not, we're just good friends."· "Don't tell anyone else, will you?" "Of course not."
use this when someone asks if you want to do something, if you like something etc, and although you say no you do not have very strong feelings about it: · "Do you want to come to the movie with us?" "Not really. I think I'll just stay in and read."· "But you quite enjoy your job, don't you?" "Not really, no. I feel I could do with a change."
use this especially when forbidding someone to do something or when you are annoyed or shocked that they have suggested something: · "Can I have some wine?" "Certainly not -- you're far too young!"· "Are you thinking of resigning?" "Certainly not."
informal use this when you are saying very strongly that you refuse to do something or when you are sure that something cannot possibly be true: · I'm not going to work late on Friday night! No way!· "Do you think we can make the trip in two hours?" "No way! It'll take more like four."· I don't believe he stole the money -- no way!
informal use this when you think that what someone has asked or suggested seems stupid or dangerous and you would definitely not consider doing it: · "Want a ride on the back of my motorcycle?" "You must be kidding."· "Are you going out with Jake?" "You must be joking! I wouldn't go out with him if he was the last person on earth."
when someone asks you a question spoken · "Have you lived here long?" "Yes, about 10 years."· "Did you watch 'Trial and Retribution' last night?" "Yes, wasn't it good?"· If you're asking me whether I think we should do it, the answer is yes.yes, please (=say this to politely accept something that someone offers you) · "Would you like some wine?" "Yes, please."
spoken informal · "Are you ready, Chrissie?" "Yeah, yeah, I'm just coming."· "Was it £2000 that your car cost?" "Yeah, that's right."· "Do you think you may have to retire from athletics soon?'' "Well, yeah, I suppose so.''
spoken informal especially American · "Do you have the time, please?'' "Sure, it's three o'clock.''· "We're going to the beach this afternoon - want to come?'' "Sure, that 'd be great.''
spoken say this when you want to agree strongly with something, or to make it clear that you are definitely going to do something: · "I think Mark would make a good team captain, don't you?" "Definitely!"· "Are you going to Sonya's party?" "Definitely! It should be really fun."
spoken say this when you are surprised or annoyed that someone has asked you something, or to make your answer strong: · "Do you know when my birthday is?'' "Of course, it's next Wednesday.''of course I am/she is/you can etc: · "Are you feeling nervous?" "Of course I am, it's a very important speech."
spoken say this when you think the person asking the question is hoping for a different answer: · "You're not going out, are you?'' "I'm afraid so. But I won't be long."· "School doesn't start again next week, does it?" "Yes, I'm afraid so, Charlie."
formal written to say yes - use this when someone says yes in a formal or public situation, for example in a law court: · When asked if he recognized the defendant, the witness replied in the affirmative.· Are men more mechanical than women? 67% of all men responding to our poll answered in the affirmative.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY There’s no need to be afraid. I was a little afraid of him when I first met him. She was half afraid that he would say no (=a little afraid). ‘Is she very ill?’ ‘I’m afraid so (=yes).’ ‘Did you see him?’ ‘I’m afraid not (=no).’
There’s no need to be afraid. I was a little afraid of him when I first met him. She was half afraid that he would say no (=a little afraid). ‘Is she very ill?’ ‘I’m afraid so (=yes).’ ‘Did you see him?’ ‘I’m afraid not (=no).’· I was frightened of my father.
· She was too scared to talk.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADVERB· I was so afraid you'd changed.· So many producers are so afraid to take on a new project like that.· Very often people get so afraid of these consequences that they develop a very serious fear of their own fear response.· I remember my father standing over her sickbed, wringing his hands, so afraid of losing another child.· Oh, Jacques, now that I have told you everything, I am so afraid.· She had been so afraid of his condition when it came down to a matter of intimacy.· People are so afraid of dying that they've now decided that only those with Aids will die.· Al Hamilton was so afraid to make his first presentations that he literally shook before they began.
· The waiters are too afraid to rush forward.· I had always been too afraid of what other people would think.· Three, she found the body and covered it up, but was too afraid to admit what she had done.· Behind those hard faces and vacant eyes are injured people who have been too afraid and too desperate too long.· The racking sobs didn't last long; she was too afraid that fitzAlan would recover and come after her.· But now he was too afraid to stay with them.· Too many parents have been too afraid ever to acknowledge the real state of our affairs to their children.· Most women are basically too afraid to leave.
· But my uncle was very afraid.· He was very afraid of certain boys.· We were very afraid, and we began to run back to our dressing-room.· I get very afraid and I feel the presence of evil around me, like something is trying to hurt me.· Raoul was very afraid for her.· She looked very small and very afraid.· I didn't know, but I was very afraid.· Sarah was white-faced and very afraid.
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRY
1frightened because you think that you may get hurt or that something bad may happen SYN scaredbe/feel afraid- Louise said Harry made her afraid for her personal safety around the house.
- I'm afraid you'll just have to wait.
There’s no need to be afraid.afraid of something Many children are afraid of the dark.afraid of somebody I was a little afraid of him when I first met him.afraid of doing something Some old people are afraid of going out alone.afraid to do something Zoe was afraid to go back into the house.► see thesaurus at frightenedRegisterIn everyday English, people often say scared rather than afraid:· I’m scared of heights.2worried that something bad will happen as a result of your actionsafraid (that) He was afraid that the other kids would laugh at him. She was half afraid that he would say no (=a little afraid).afraid of doing something I didn’t tell her because I was afraid of upsetting her.afraid of something The government was afraid of the reaction from the public.afraid to do something Don’t be afraid to ask for help.3 afraid for somebody/something worried that something bad may happen to a particular person or thing: Her father looked ill and she was suddenly afraid for him. Many of us were afraid for our jobs.4I’m afraid spoken used to politely tell someone something that may annoy, upset, or disappoint them: That’s the most we can offer you, I’m afraid.afraid (that) I’m afraid you’ve come to the wrong address. ‘Is she very ill?’ ‘I’m afraid so (=yes).’ ‘Did you see him?’ ‘I’m afraid not (=no).’GRAMMAR: Comparisonafraid, frightened, scared• You feel afraid of someone or something: · A lot of people are afraid of snakes. ✗Don’t say: afraid about something• You feel afraid to do something: · I was afraid to tell anyone.• You can use the same patterns with frightened and scared: · I was frightened of my father.· She was too scared to talk.worried• You feel worried about someone or something: · I was worried about my father.• You feel worried by something that has happened: · Many people were worried by the news.