afraid
- 1Scared or worried that something bad might happen to you or to someone or something else.
Like the cold feeling you get when you hear a loud noise in the dark.
The children were afraid of the thunder and hid under the blankets.
She felt afraid walking home alone down the dark street.
UsageSay afraid of something or afraid to do something. Before a noun, say a scared child.
- 2Politely sorry when you have to tell someone bad news or something they do not want to hear.
Like a soft knock before you bring someone news they won't like.
I'm afraid we've sold the last tickets for tonight's show.
I'm afraid your application was not successful this time.
UsageSay I'm afraid before bad news, or answer I'm afraid so or I'm afraid not.
Similarsorry
Practice
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Origin
It comes from an old word 'affray', meaning to frighten. This came through Old French and traces back to a Germanic word for 'peace'.
Checked 5 Nov 2026 · 4 facts
- Afraid derives from the past participle of the old verb affray. en.wiktionary.org
- Affray meant to frighten. en.wiktionary.org
- The word came through Old French. en.wiktionary.org
- The word ultimately contains a Germanic element meaning peace. en.wiktionary.org