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Be afraid of: meaning, definitions and examples

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be afraid of

[ bɪ əˈfreɪd ʌv ]

Verb

^{Context #1 | Verb}

feeling

To feel fear or anxiety about something or someone.

Synonyms

be frightened of, be scared of, be terrified of, fear.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
be afraid of	Use this phrase in everyday situations when talking about general fear or concern. It's less intense and more common in casual speech. She is afraid of spiders. He is afraid of speaking in public.
fear	Use 'fear' in more formal contexts or when talking about a general sense of fear, especially in written communication. He had a deep-seated fear of failure. She fears being alone at night.
be scared of	This phrase is similar to 'be afraid of' but can convey a slightly stronger or more sudden reaction. It is still informal and commonly used. Many kids are scared of the dark. He is scared of going to the dentist.
be frightened of	Use this phrase when someone has a stronger sense of fear than just being afraid. It usually means a more immediate or intense reaction. The little boy was frightened of the loud thunder. She is frightened of heights.
be terrified of	Use this phrase to describe an extreme level of fear, often paralyzing. It indicates that someone is very afraid, to the point of panic. She is terrified of flying. He is terrified of snakes.

Examples of usage

I used to be afraid of the dark when I was a child.
She is afraid of spiders.
Don't be afraid of making mistakes, it's part of learning.
He is afraid of heights.
We should not be afraid of speaking our mind.

Translations

Translations of the word "be afraid of" in other languages:

🇵🇹 ter medo de

🇮🇳 से डरना

🇩🇪 Angst haben vor

🇮🇩 takut akan

🇺🇦 боятися

🇵🇱 bać się

🇯🇵 恐れる (おそれる)

🇫🇷 avoir peur de

🇪🇸 tener miedo de

🇹🇷 korkmak

🇰🇷 두려워하다

🇸🇦 خاف من

🇨🇿 bát se

🇸🇰 báť sa

🇨🇳 害怕 (hàipà)

🇸🇮 bati se

🇮🇸 að vera hræddur við

🇰🇿 қорқу

🇬🇪 ეშინოდეს

🇦🇿 qorxmaq

🇲🇽 tener miedo de

Etymology

The phrase 'be afraid of' dates back to Old English and has evolved over time to its current usage. The concept of fear has always been an integral part of human nature, driving individuals to protect themselves from perceived threats. The expression 'be afraid of' reflects this universal emotion and the instinctual response it triggers in individuals when faced with danger or uncertainty.