afraid
- 1Feeling fear or worry that something dangerous or unpleasant may happen, whether to oneself or to another person or thing.
Many new divers are afraid the first time they jump into deep water.
He was too afraid to admit that he had broken the window.
Usageafraid of the dark, afraid of falling, afraid to ask. Usually after a verb; before a noun, say a frightened child.
- 2Politely regretful, used when reluctantly telling someone something unwelcome or unpleasant.
I'm afraid the restaurant is fully booked until next weekend.
She said she was afraid the decision could not be changed.
UsageUsually I'm afraid + a clause, with or without that, or the short replies I'm afraid so and I'm afraid not.
Similarsorry
Practice
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Origin
It comes from Middle English 'affrayed', the past participle of 'afraien' (to affray), borrowed from Anglo-Norman 'afrayer' (to terrify or disturb). This goes back to Old French 'esfreer' (to disturb the peace), built from a root meaning 'peace', ultimately linked to the words 'free' and 'friend'.
Checked 5 Nov 2026 · 5 facts
- Afraid comes from Middle English affrayed, the past participle of afraien, meaning to affray. en.wiktionary.org
- The Middle English verb came from Anglo-Norman afrayer, meaning to terrify or disturb. en.wiktionary.org
- The ancestry includes Old French esfreer, meaning to disturb the peace. en.wiktionary.org
- The Old French word contains an element ultimately meaning peace. en.wiktionary.org
- The word is ultimately etymologically related to free and friend. en.wiktionary.org