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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