afraid */*/*/

afraid */*/*/
UK [əˈfreɪd] / US adjective [never before noun]
Metaphor:
Feeling afraid is like feeling cold. I felt a chill of fear. An icy hand clutched her heart. I was in a cold sweat before the audition. The howling noise sent shivers down his spine. The movie contained scenes of spine-chilling horror. Alex got cold feet and pulled out at the last minute. It was a sight that made her blood run cold. The blood froze in his veins. When someone feels afraid, it is as if their body is shaking. The mere sound of his name made his enemies tremble. He quailed at the thought of being found out. Everyone's a bit jittery before an inspection. I was shaking in my shoes before the interview. No doubt the opposition are quaking in their boots.  feeling
1) worried that something bad might happen
afraid (that):

I was afraid that you'd miss the flight.

afraid of:

He's afraid of the dark.

afraid of doing something:

I was afraid of getting lost.

afraid to do something:

If you don't know the answer, don't be afraid to say so.

2) frightened, for example because you feel you are in danger

Don't be afraid – I won't hurt you.

afraid of:

Everyone seems to be afraid of her.

He's afraid of flying.

afraid to do something:

She was afraid to go near the dog.

be afraid for someone (= believe that someone is in danger):

People here are afraid for their children.


English dictionary. 2014.

Игры ⚽ Нужно решить контрольную?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Afraid — A*fraid , p. a. [OE. afrayed, affraide, p. p. of afraien to affray. See {Affray}, and cf. {Afeard}.] Impressed with fear or apprehension; in fear; apprehensive. [Afraid comes after the noun it limits.] Back they recoiled, afraid. Milton. [1913… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • afraid — [ə frād′] adj. [ME affraied, pp. of affraien, AFFRAY] feeling fear; frightened; apprehensive: followed by of, that, or an infinitive: often used informally to indicate regret [I m afraid I can t go] SYN. AFRAID is applied to a general feeling of… …   English World dictionary

  • Afraid — «Afraid» Sencillo de Mötley Crüe del álbum Generation Swine Publicación 1997 Formato CD Grabación 1996 Género(s) Glam metal …   Wikipedia Español

  • afraid — ► ADJECTIVE ▪ fearful or anxious. ● I m afraid Cf. ↑I m afraid ORIGIN from Old French afrayer disturb, startle …   English terms dictionary

  • afraid — (adj.) early 14c., originally pp. of afray frighten, from Anglo Fr. afrayer, from O.Fr. esfreer (see AFFRAY (Cf. affray) (n.)). A rare case of an English adjective that never stands before a noun. Because it was used in A.V. Bible, it acquired… …   Etymology dictionary

  • afraid — afraid; un·afraid; …   English syllables

  • afraid — [adj1] fearful abashed, aghast, alarmed, anxious, apprehensive, aroused, blanched, cowardly, cowed, daunted, discouraged, disheartened, dismayed, distressed, disturbed, faint hearted, frightened, frozen, have cold feet*, horrified, in awe,… …   New thesaurus

  • afraid — I adjective affrighted, alarmed, anxious, apprehensive, cautious, distrustful, dreading, fearful, frightened, haunted by fear, leery, nervous, scared, shrinking, terrified, terror stricken, timid, timorous, uneasy II index caitiff, leery,… …   Law dictionary

  • afraid — *fearful, apprehensive Analogous words: alarmed, scared (see FRIGHTEN): timorous, *timid Antonyms: unafraid: sanguine Contrasted words: *cool, composed, imperturbable, collected: *confident, assured, sure …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • afraid — a|fraid W2S1 [əˈfreıd] adj [not before noun] [Date: 1300 1400; Origin: Past participle of affray to frighten (14 19 centuries), from Old French affreer; AFFRAY] 1.) frightened because you think that you may get hurt or that something bad may… …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • afraid — a|fraid [ ə freıd ] adjective never before noun *** 1. ) frightened, for example because you feel you are in danger: Don t be afraid, I won t hurt you. afraid of: Everyone seems to be afraid of her. He s afraid of flying. afraid to do something:… …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

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