fear
/fiə/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun:
- An unpleasant emotion caused by the threat of danger, pain, or harm: A feeling of being afraid.
- A feeling of anxiety concerning the outcome of something or the safety of someone: Worry or concern about something undesirable that might happen.
- A mixed feeling of dread and reverence, especially toward a deity: A profound respect mingled with awe.
Verb:
- To be afraid of (someone or something) as likely to be dangerous, painful, or harmful: To feel fear.
- To feel anxiety or apprehension about a possible or probable situation or event: To be worried or concerned.
- To have a reverential awe of, especially toward God: To regard with profound respect and wonder.
- Used politely to express regret or apology when introducing bad news: To be sorry to say.
Examples
Noun:
- She felt a sudden surge of fear when she heard the noise.
- His greatest fear was failing the exam.
- They lived in fear of the king's wrath.
Verb:
- Many people fear spiders.
- I fear that we might be too late.
- He was taught to fear God.
- I fear I have some bad news for you.
Advanced Usage
"For fear of/that...": Because of anxiety about or to avoid a particular outcome.
- She didn't speak for fear of offending him.
- He left early for fear that he would miss his train.
"In fear of one's life": Being afraid that one might be killed.
- The witness was in fear of his life after testifying.
"No fear!" (informal): Used to express emphatic denial or refusal.
- "Are you going bungee jumping?" "No fear!"
Variants and Related Words
- Fearful (adj): Feeling afraid; showing or causing fear.
- She was fearful of the dark.
- Fearless (adj): Lacking fear; brave.
- The fearless explorer entered the cave.
- Fearfully (adv): In a frightened manner; very (used as an intensifier).
- He looked around fearfully. / It was a fearfully difficult task.
Synonyms
- Noun: Fright, terror, dread, alarm, panic, anxiety, trepidation, apprehension, awe.
- Verb: Be afraid of, dread, be scared of, be apprehensive about, revere, venerate.
Related Phrasal Verbs
- Fear for: To be worried or anxious about someone or something.
- I fear for his safety in that dangerous city.
Related Idioms
- Put the fear of God into someone: To frighten someone severely, especially to make them obey.
- The strict teacher put the fear of God into her students.
- Without fear or favor: In a fair and impartial way.
- The judge administered the law without fear or favor.
Noun
- a feeling of profound respect for someone or something
- the fear of God
- the Chinese reverence for the dead
- the French treat food with gentle reverence
- his respect for the law bordered on veneration
- an anxious feeling
- care had aged him
- they hushed it up out of fear of public reaction
- an emotion experienced in anticipation of some specific pain or danger (usually accompanied by a desire to flee or fight)
Verb
- regard with feelings of respect and reverence; consider hallowed or exalted or be in awe of
- Fear God as your father
- We venerate genius
- be uneasy or apprehensive about
- I fear the results of the final exams
- be sorry; used to introduce an unpleasant statement
- I fear I won't make it to your wedding party
- be afraid or scared of; be frightened of
- I fear the winters in Moscow
- We should not fear the Communists!
- be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event
- I fear she might get aggressive