Definition

1. 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.

2. 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

1. 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
2. an anxious feeling
   • care had aged him
   • they hushed it up out of fear of public reaction
3. an emotion experienced in anticipation of some specific pain or danger (usually accompanied by a desire to flee or fight)

Verb

1. regard with feelings of respect and reverence; consider hallowed or exalted or be in awe of
   • Fear God as your father
   • We venerate genius
2. be uneasy or apprehensive about
   • I fear the results of the final exams
3. be sorry; used to introduce an unpleasant statement
   • I fear I won't make it to your wedding party
4. be afraid or scared of; be frightened of
   • I fear the winters in Moscow
   • We should not fear the Communists!
5. be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event
   • I fear she might get aggressive