Word
afraid
US/əˈfɹeɪd/
UK/ɐfɹˈeɪd/
Definitions
01feeling fear
A1 · Beginner
adj. feeling fear or being scared of something that might hurt you.
adj. Experiencing fear or apprehension; typically used as a predicative adjective following a linking verb.
“The little boy was afraid of the dark and always left a light on.”
“Many residents were afraid to leave their homes after the storm caused significant damage to the local infrastructure.”
Usage
Usually followed by 'of' + noun or 'to' + verb; it rarely appears before a noun.
Pitfall
He is an afraid man.
He is a frightened man.
Afraid is a predicative adjective; it usually comes after a verb like 'be' or 'feel', not before a noun.
Teaching tip
Remind students that 'afraid' is almost never used in the attributive position (e.g., 'an afraid person' is incorrect).
Synonyms
02polite regret
A2 · Elementary
adj. a polite way to say you are sorry or that you have to say 'no'.
adj. Expressing regretful reluctance or delivering unpleasant news in a polite manner.
Español:temerse que
“I'm afraid that I can't come to your party on Saturday night.”
“I'm afraid the manager is currently unavailable to take your call, but I can leave a message for her.”
Usage
Commonly used in the phrase 'I'm afraid (that)...' or 'I'm afraid so/not'.
Teaching tip
This sense is a pragmatic marker for politeness rather than an expression of actual fear.
Synonyms
03worried about something
B1 · Intermediate
adj. feeling worried that something bad might happen to someone or something.
adj. Feeling concern or anxiety regarding a potential negative outcome for a person or situation.
“She was afraid for her job when she heard the company was losing money.”
“Environmentalists are afraid for the future of the local wetlands if the new housing development is approved.”
Usage
Often takes the preposition 'for' when expressing concern for another entity's safety or status.
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.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
ADJECTIVE
Related words
Idioms
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.A1 MoversIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.2.0–3.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 1.0–1.50–23TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.120–224
- Frequency
- Common
- Level
- A1 · BeginnerOxford
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/afraid
Traducciones: Kaikki.org (Wiktionary), CC BY-SA 4.0