# trepidation

/ˌtɹɛpɪˈdeɪʃən/ (US) · /tɹˌɛpɪdˈeɪʃən/ (UK) · CEFR C2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/trepidation
Updated: 2026-05-30

## Definition

a feeling of fear or worry about something that is going to happen. You might feel this before a big test or a difficult meeting.

For teachers: a state of fear, anxiety, or apprehension. Often used to describe the emotional state preceding a significant or potentially dangerous event.

## Examples

- She walked into the interview with a lot of trepidation.
- Despite his years of experience, the pilot felt a sense of trepidation before landing in the thick fog.
- The explorers approached the uncharted territory with trepidation, aware that their maps were incomplete and their supplies were running low.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.