Fear: meaning, definitions and examples

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fear

[ fɪr ]

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.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
fear	A feeling of being afraid or worried about something bad that might happen. It is often the most general term used for a variety of fright-related emotions. She felt fear when she heard a noise downstairs Many people have a fear of heights
terror	Intense fear, often overwhelming and paralyzing. It can be more severe than other forms of fear and is usually associated with a direct and immediate threat. He was in terror during the earthquake The movie filled her with pure terror
dread	A strong feeling of fear or apprehension, often about something that is expected to happen in the future. He felt a sense of dread as the exam date approached She dreads going to the dentist
anxiety	A feeling of worry, nervousness, or unease about something with an uncertain outcome. It often refers to a more prolonged state of worry. He experienced anxiety before his job interview She struggles with anxiety about her future
panic	A sudden overwhelming feeling of fear or anxiety, with a loss of logical thinking or control. It often leads to rash or unreasonable actions. The crowd began to panic when the fire alarm went off She felt panic rising as she realized she was lost

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.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
fear	A strong, intense emotion when facing danger or something threatening. She felt fear when she saw the snake. His eyes were filled with fear when he heard the noise.
worry	A continuous feeling of anxiety or concern about current or future problems, usually involving a focus on possible negative outcomes. She couldn't stop worrying about her exams. He was worried about his children's safety.
apprehension	A more subtle feeling of anxiety or dread about future events or potential problems. There was apprehension in his voice before the big interview. She felt apprehension about the long journey ahead.
unease	A mild state of discomfort or restlessness, usually not as intense as fear or dread. There was a sense of unease in the room after the announcement. His unusual behavior caused some unease among his friends.
trepidation	A nervous or hesitant feeling, often when approaching or beginning something new or unfamiliar. He approached the stage with trepidation. She felt trepidation before starting her first day at the new job.

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.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
fear	Use 'fear' when describing a strong, basic emotion in reaction to danger or threat. She was filled with fear when she saw the snake. His worst fear came true when he lost his job.
dread	Use 'dread' for a deep, often long-term fear or anxiety about something that is likely to happen. She dreaded going to the dentist because of her past experience. He dreads the thought of speaking in public.
be afraid of	Use 'be afraid of' when talking about general anxiety or concern about a specific thing or situation. It is less intense than 'fear'. He is afraid of heights and avoids tall buildings. She's afraid of the dark and always sleeps with a nightlight.
feel apprehensive about	Use 'feel apprehensive about' for mild to moderate anxiety or worry about a future event or situation. It is less intense than 'dread' or 'fear'. He felt apprehensive about starting his new job. She feels apprehensive about meeting new people.

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:

🇵🇹 medo

🇮🇳 डर

🇩🇪 Angst

🇮🇩 takut

🇺🇦 страх

🇵🇱 strach

🇯🇵 恐怖（きょうふ）

🇫🇷 peur

🇪🇸 miedo

🇹🇷 korku

🇰🇷 두려움

🇸🇦 خوف

🇨🇿 strach

🇸🇰 strach

🇨🇳 恐惧 (kǒngjù)

🇸🇮 strah

🇮🇸 ótti

🇰🇿 қорқыныш

🇬🇪 შიში

🇦🇿 qorxu

🇲🇽 miedo

Etymology

The word 'fear' originated from Middle English 'fer' and Old English 'fær,' 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.

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.

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1129 agent
1130 sort
1131 whatever
1132 fear
1133 maintain
1134 selected
1135 color
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