If you are afraid or frightened, you feel fear because you think something bad will happen.
You can also say that you are afraid of someone or something, or frightened of them.
If you don't want to do something because you think it might be harmful or dangerous, you can say that you are afraid to do it or frightened to do it.
Be Careful!
Afraid is used only after linking verbs such as be and feel. Don't use it in front of a noun. For example, don't talk about 'an afraid child'. However, you can talk about 'a frightened child'.
If you are worried about something, you can say that you are afraid of doing something wrong, or afraid that something will happen. You don't usually use 'frightened' in this way.
If you have to tell someone something and you think it might upset or annoy them, you can politely say 'I'm afraid...', 'I'm afraid so', or 'I'm afraid not'. 'I'm afraid so' means 'yes'. 'I'm afraid not' means 'no', and both of these expressions are used as responses to questions.
| Adj. | 1. | afraid - filled with fear or apprehension; "afraid even to turn his head"; "suddenly looked afraid"; "afraid for his life"; "afraid of snakes"; "afraid to ask questions"timid - showing fear and lack of confidence |
| 2. | afraid - filled with regret or concern; used often to soften an unpleasant statement; "I'm afraid I won't be able to come"; "he was afraid he would have to let her go"; "I'm afraid you're wrong" concerned - feeling or showing worry or solicitude; "concerned parents of youthful offenders"; "was concerned about the future"; "we feel concerned about accomplishing the task at hand"; "greatly concerned not to disappoint a small child" | |
| 3. | afraid - feeling worry or concern or insecurity; "She was afraid that I might be embarrassed"; "terribly afraid of offending someone"; "I am afraid we have witnessed only the first phase of the conflict"concerned - feeling or showing worry or solicitude; "concerned parents of youthful offenders"; "was concerned about the future"; "we feel concerned about accomplishing the task at hand"; "greatly concerned not to disappoint a small child" | |
| 4. | afraid - having feelings of aversion or unwillingness; "afraid of hard work"; "afraid to show emotion" disinclined - unwilling because of mild dislike or disapproval; "disinclined to say anything to anybody" |