Afraid vs. Fear: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
Afraid is an adjective describing a feeling of fear, while fear is a noun or verb referring to the emotional response to a perceived threat.
Key Differences
Afraid is an adjective used to describe a state of feeling fear or apprehension about a possible or imminent situation. Fear, on the other hand, can function as both a noun and a verb. As a noun, it refers to an unpleasant emotion caused by the belief that someone or something is dangerous or likely to cause pain. As a verb, it describes the action of feeling this emotion.
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Nov 21, 2023
When someone says they are afraid, they are expressing their personal emotional state. This use is subjective and internal. In contrast, fear can describe a general feeling or phenomenon that may not be tied to a specific individual's emotions at a given moment.
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Nov 21, 2023
Usage in language also differs. Afraid is often used in personal statements, like "I am afraid of spiders." Here, it is describing the speaker's personal feeling. Fear is more versatile; as a noun, it might be used in a sentence like "The fear of failure haunts many," and as a verb, like in "They fear the unknown."
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Nov 21, 2023
Contextually, afraid is typically used to describe immediate, specific feelings towards something. Fear is broader and can refer to both immediate emotions and long-standing phobias or anxieties.
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Nov 21, 2023
Emotionally, afraid often conveys a less intense feeling compared to fear. For example, being afraid might just involve slight unease or nervousness, whereas fear often implies a stronger, more primal emotional response.
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Nov 21, 2023
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Comparison Chart
Usage in Sentences
Describes a feeling, e.g., "She is afraid of heights."
Describes the emotion or the action, e.g., "He has a fear of heights." or "She fears heights."
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Intensity
Generally less intense
Can be more intense, encompassing deep anxieties
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Subjectivity
Subjective, describing personal feelings
Can be subjective or objective
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Scope of Expression
Often used for specific, immediate concerns
Broad, can refer to both immediate and long-standing fears
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Afraid and Fear Definitions
Afraid
Reluctant or unwilling due to fear
Afraid of offending her, he remained silent.
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Nov 21, 2023
Fear
An unpleasant emotion caused by the belief that someone or something is dangerous
His fear of spiders was overwhelming.
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Nov 21, 2023
Afraid
Feeling anxious or apprehensive about a possible danger or threat
She was afraid to walk alone at night.
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Fear
The likelihood of something unwelcome happening
There's a great fear of failure among students.
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Fear
A feeling of anxiety concerning the outcome of something
The fear of losing her job kept her awake at night.
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Afraid
Worried that something undesirable will occur or be done
He was afraid he would fail the exam.
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Nov 21, 2023
Fear
To regard (something) with concern or anxiety
He feared the worst when he didn't hear from them.
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Nov 21, 2023
Afraid
Filled with fear; frightened
Afraid of ghosts.
Afraid to die.
Afraid for his life.
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Oct 19, 2023
Fear
A very unpleasant or disturbing feeling caused by the presence or imminence of danger
Our fears intensified as the storm approached.
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Afraid
Having feelings of aversion or unwillingness in regard to something
Not afraid of hard work.
Afraid to show emotion.
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Oct 19, 2023
Fear
A state or condition marked by this feeling
Living in constant fear of attack.
Saved as much as he could for fear of losing his job.
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Oct 19, 2023
Afraid
Filled with regret or concern. Used especially to soften an unpleasant statement
I'm afraid you're wrong.
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Oct 19, 2023
Afraid
Impressed with fear or apprehension; in fear.
He is afraid of death.
He is afraid to die.
He is afraid that he will die.
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Oct 19, 2023
Afraid
(colloquial) Regretful, sorry; expressing a reluctance to face an unpleasant situation.
I am afraid I cannot help you in this matter.
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Oct 19, 2023
Afraid
(used with for) Worried about, feeling concern for, fearing for (someone or something).
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Fear
To be uneasy or apprehensive about
We all feared what we would see when the grades were posted.
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Afraid
Filled with fear or apprehension;
Afraid even to turn his head
Suddenly looked afraid
Afraid for his life
Afraid of snakes
Afraid to ask questions
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Fear
To consider probable; expect
I fear you are wrong. I fear I have bad news for you.
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Afraid
Filled with regret or concern; used often to soften an unpleasant statement;
I'm afraid I won't be able to come
He was afraid he would have to let her go
I'm afraid you're wrong
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Afraid
Feeling worry or concern or insecurity;
She was afraid that I might be embarrassed
Terribly afraid of offending someone
I am afraid we have witnessed only the first phase of the conflict
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Afraid
Having feelings of aversion or unwillingness;
Afraid of hard work
Affaid to show emotion
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Afraid
Used politely to express regret or embarrassment
I'm afraid I can't make it to your party.
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Nov 21, 2023
Fear
(uncountable) A strong, uncontrollable, unpleasant emotion or feeling caused by actual or perceived danger or threat.
He was struck by fear on seeing the snake.
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Oct 19, 2023
Fear
(countable) A phobia, a sense of fear induced by something or someone.
Not everybody has the same fears.
I have a fear of ants.
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Fear
(uncountable) Terrified veneration or reverence, particularly towards God, gods, or sovereigns.
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Oct 19, 2023
Fear
(transitive) To be afraid of (something or someone); to consider or expect (something or someone) with alarm.
I fear the worst will happen.
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Fear
To worry about, to feel concern for, to be afraid for.
She fears for her son’s safety.
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Fear
(transitive) To venerate; to feel awe towards.
People who fear God can be found in Christian churches.
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Fear
(transitive) To regret.
I fear I have bad news for you: your husband has died.
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Fear
A painful emotion or passion excited by the expectation of evil, or the apprehension of impending danger; apprehension; anxiety; solicitude; alarm; dread.
Fear is an uneasiness of the mind, upon the thought of future evil likely to befall us.
Where no hope is left, is left no fear.
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Oct 19, 2023
Fear
Apprehension of incurring, or solicitude to avoid, God's wrath; the trembling and awful reverence felt toward the Supreme Being.
I will put my fear in their hearts.
I will teach you the fear of the Lord.
Render therefore to all their dues; tribute to whom tribute is due . . . fear to whom fear.
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Oct 19, 2023
Fear
That which causes, or which is the object of, apprehension or alarm; source or occasion of terror; danger; dreadfulness.
There were they in great fear, where no fear was.
The fear of your adventure would counsel you to a more equal enterprise.
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Oct 19, 2023
Fear
To feel a painful apprehension of; to be afraid of; to consider or expect with emotion of alarm or solicitude.
I will fear no evil, for thou art with me.
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Oct 19, 2023
Fear
To have a reverential awe of; to be solicitous to avoid the displeasure of.
Leave them to God above; him serve and fear.
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Fear
To be anxious or solicitous for; now replaced by fear for.
The sins of the father are to be laid upon the children, therefore . . . I fear you.
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Oct 19, 2023
Fear
To affright; to terrify; to drive away or prevent approach of by fear.
Fear their people from doing evil.
Tush, tush! fear boys with bugs.
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Oct 19, 2023
Fear
To be in apprehension of evil; to be afraid; to feel anxiety on account of some expected evil.
I exceedingly fear and quake.
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Oct 19, 2023
Fear
An emotion experienced in anticipation of some specific pain or danger (usually accompanied by a desire to flee or fight)
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Oct 19, 2023
Fear
An anxious feeling;
Care had aged him
They hushed it up out of fear of public reaction
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Fear
Be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event;
I fear she might get aggressive
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Oct 19, 2023
Fear
Be afraid or scared of; be frightened of;
I fear the winters in Moscow
We should not fear the Communists!
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Oct 19, 2023
Fear
Be sorry; used to introduce an unpleasant statement;
I fear I won't make it to your wedding party
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Fear
Regard with feelings of respect and reverence; consider hallowed or exalted or be in awe of;
Fear God as your father
We venerate genius
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Oct 19, 2023
Fear
To be afraid of (someone or something) as likely to be dangerous, painful, or harmful
She feared the dark woods.
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Nov 21, 2023
Repeatedly Asked Queries
Can 'fear' be used as a verb?
Yes, 'fear' can function as a verb meaning to feel anxiety or apprehension about something.
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Nov 21, 2023
Can 'afraid' be used to express politeness or regret?
Yes, 'afraid' is sometimes used politely to express regret, as in "I'm afraid I can't help."
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Nov 21, 2023
Does 'fear' always imply a strong emotion?
As a noun, 'fear' often implies a strong emotion, but as a verb, it can refer to varying levels of anxiety or apprehension.
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Nov 21, 2023
Is 'afraid' used to describe a temporary feeling?
Yes, 'afraid' often describes a temporary or specific feeling of fear.
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Nov 21, 2023
Does 'fear' have a subjective or objective quality?
'Fear' can have both subjective and objective qualities depending on its use as a noun or verb.
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Nov 21, 2023
Is 'afraid' appropriate for long-term fears?
'Afraid' is typically used for more immediate concerns rather than long-term fears.
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Nov 21, 2023
Is 'afraid' less intense than 'fear'?
Generally, 'afraid' conveys a less intense feeling compared to 'fear'.
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Nov 21, 2023
Is 'afraid' always related to danger?
Mostly, 'afraid' is used in relation to perceived danger or concern, but it can also express general apprehension.
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Nov 21, 2023
Is 'fear' more versatile in usage than 'afraid'?
Yes, 'fear' is more versatile as it can be a noun or a verb and covers a broader range of contexts.
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Nov 21, 2023
Can 'afraid' indicate reluctance?
Yes, 'afraid' can indicate reluctance due to fear, as in "afraid to speak."
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Nov 21, 2023
Can 'fear' be used to describe a phobia?
Yes, 'fear' can be used to describe a phobia or deep-seated anxiety, such as a fear of heights.
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Nov 21, 2023
Can 'fear' be a positive motivator?
Yes, 'fear' can sometimes be a motivator for precautionary or proactive actions.
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Nov 21, 2023
Can 'fear' describe a general phenomenon?
Yes, 'fear' can describe a general emotional response or phenomenon, not just individual feelings.
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Nov 21, 2023
Does 'afraid' always imply a negative connotation?
'Afraid' generally has a negative connotation, relating to worry or apprehension.
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Nov 21, 2023
Is 'afraid' commonly used in everyday conversation?
Yes, 'afraid' is a common term in everyday conversation to express feelings of fear or anxiety.
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Nov 21, 2023
Is 'afraid' used in formal language?
'Afraid' is used in both formal and informal language, often depending on the context.
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Nov 21, 2023
Can 'fear' describe both rational and irrational fears?
Yes, 'fear' can describe both rational fears based on real threats and irrational fears or phobias.
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Nov 21, 2023
Can 'fear' refer to both immediate and long-standing fears?
Yes, 'fear' can refer to both immediate and long-standing fears or anxieties.
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Nov 21, 2023
Can 'fear' be a verb meaning to respect or revere?
In some contexts, 'fear' can mean to have a profound respect or reverence, especially in religious contexts.
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Nov 21, 2023
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Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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