Fear: meaning, definitions and examples

๐Ÿ˜จ
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fear

 

[ fษชr ]

Noun / Verb
Oxford 3000
Context #1 | Noun

feeling

An unpleasant emotion caused by the belief that someone or something is dangerous, likely to cause pain, or a threat.

Synonyms

anxiety, dread, panic, terror

Examples of usage

  • He could hardly eat for fear of hurting her.
  • The increase in poverty is often accompanied by a greater fear of crime.
  • I was seized with fear as I heard footsteps behind me.
Context #2 | Noun

concern

A feeling of anxiety concerning the outcome of something or the safety and well-being of someone.

Synonyms

apprehension, trepidation, unease, worry

Examples of usage

  • The fear of failure can sometimes hold us back from pursuing our dreams.
  • She couldn't shake the fear that something bad was going to happen.
Context #3 | Verb

intimidate

To be afraid of (someone or something) as likely to be dangerous, painful, or threatening.

Synonyms

be afraid of, dread, feel apprehensive about

Examples of usage

  • He was a ruthless dictator who used fear to control his people.
  • I fear the consequences of my actions.

Translations

Translations of the word "fear" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น medo

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคกเคฐ

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช Angst

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ takut

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ัั‚ั€ะฐั…

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ strach

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ๆๆ€–๏ผˆใใ‚‡ใ†ใต๏ผ‰

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท peur

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ miedo

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท korku

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ๋‘๋ ค์›€

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ุฎูˆู

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ strach

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ strach

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ๆๆƒง (kว’ngjรน)

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ strah

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ รณtti

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ า›ะพั€า›ั‹ะฝั‹ัˆ

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒจแƒ˜แƒจแƒ˜

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ qorxu

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ miedo

Etymology

The word 'fear' originated from Middle English 'fer' and Old English 'fรฆr,' which both meant 'danger.' The sense of 'fright' or 'dread' developed in Middle English. Fear has been a fundamental emotion throughout human history, often linked to survival instincts and the fight-or-flight response. It has been explored in various forms in literature, psychology, and philosophy.

See also: feared, fearful, fearfully, fearfulness, fearless, fearlessly, fearlessness.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #1,132, this word is part of core intermediate vocabulary. It appears regularly in various contexts and is essential for natural-sounding English.