afraid
/əˈfɹeɪd/
Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.
Sense 1
Meaning · English
Impressed with fear or apprehension; in fear.
Adjective
Examples
He is afraid of death.
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).
Sense 2
Meaning · English
Regretful, sorry; expressing a reluctance to face an unpleasant situation.
Adjective
Examples
I am afraid I cannot help you in this matter.
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “afraid” mean?
Impressed with fear or apprehension; in fear.
Is “afraid” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.