afraid

adj

Etymology: From Middle English affrayed, affraied, past participle of afraien (“to affray”), from Anglo-Norman afrayer (“to terrify, disquiet, disturb”), from Old French effreer, esfreer (“to disturb, remove the peace from”), from es- (“out”) + freer (“to secure, secure the peace”), from Frankish *friþu (“security, peace”), from Proto-Germanic *friþuz (“peace”), from Proto-Germanic *frijōną (“to free; to love”), from Proto-Indo-European *prāy-, *prēy- (“to like, love”). By surface analysis, affray + -ed. Compare also afeard. More at free, friend.

1. Impressed with fear or apprehension; in fear.

   “He is afraid of death.”

   “He is afraid to ask her out.”

2. Regretful, sorry; expressing a reluctance to face an unpleasant situation.

   “I am afraid I cannot help you in this matter.”

3. Worried about, feeling concern for, fearing for (someone or something).