1
: filled with fear or apprehension
afraid of machines
was afraid for his job
2
: filled with concern or regret over an unwanted situation
I'm afraid I won't be able to go.
3
: having a dislike for something
She's not afraid of hard work. [=she's not unwilling to work hard]
Examples of afraid in a Sentence
Melissa is afraid of flying, so she takes a train from Boston to visit her brother in Chicago.
Recent Examples on the Web
Pay attention to your customers, listen closely, and don’t be afraid to test small, strategic changes.
—
Melissa Houston, Forbes, 22 Mar. 2025
While taking your room’s layout and square footage into account, don't be afraid to think outside the box: how can your sitting room function for you?
—Shivani Vyas, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 Mar. 2025
Elizabeth Olsen isn't afraid to talk shop with Robbie Arnett.
—Jen Juneau, People.com, 21 Mar. 2025
Her Anyway Joey has certainly come into his own and isn't afraid to let his personality shine through.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 20 Mar. 2025
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Melissa Houston, Forbes, 22 Mar. 2025
While taking your room’s layout and square footage into account, don't be afraid to think outside the box: how can your sitting room function for you?
—Shivani Vyas, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 Mar. 2025
Elizabeth Olsen isn't afraid to talk shop with Robbie Arnett.
—Jen Juneau, People.com, 21 Mar. 2025
Her Anyway Joey has certainly come into his own and isn't afraid to let his personality shine through.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 20 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for afraid
Cite this Entry
“Afraid.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/afraid. Accessed 7 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
afraid
adjective
ə-ˈfrād 
Southern also -ˈfre(ə)d
1
: filled with fear or dread
afraid of snakes
2
: filled with concern or regret
afraid she might be late
3
: having a dislike for something
not afraid to work hard
Etymology
Middle English affraied "filled with fear," from affraien "to frighten," from early French affraier, effreer "to frighten" — related to fray entry 1
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