afraid
- 01 A2 Elementary
a polite way to say 'sorry' when giving bad news or saying no.
used to introduce a statement that is likely to be unwelcome or disappointing to the listener.
Simple“I'm afraid that all the tickets for the concert are sold out.”
In context“I am afraid I cannot attend the gala this evening, as a prior engagement requires my presence elsewhere.”
UsageCommonly followed by a 'that' clause or used as a standalone response.
Synonymssorryregretful - 02 B1 Intermediate
feeling worried that something bad might happen to someone or something.
feeling concern or anxiety regarding a potential negative outcome for a person or situation.
Simple“She was afraid for her brother when he didn't come home on time.”
In context“The doctors were afraid for the patient's recovery after the complications during the initial surgery.”
UsageOften takes the preposition 'for'.
Antonyms
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.