fear
HighNeutral, used across all registers from formal to informal.
Definition
Meaning
An unpleasant emotion caused by the threat of danger, pain, or harm.
The anticipation or anxiety regarding an unwanted event, outcome, or potential negative consequence. Can also refer to reverence or awe, as in 'fear of God'.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Denotes both the emotion itself ('She felt fear') and the object causing it ('Spiders are a common fear'). The verb form ('to fear') can mean both to be afraid of something and to have a respectful reverence.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Minor spelling differences in derived forms (e.g., BrE 'fearful', AmE also 'fearful').
Connotations
Consistently negative for the primary emotion of dread. The reverential sense ('fear of God') is neutral/formal in both.
Frequency
Equally frequent in both varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
fear for + someone/something (He feared for her safety.)fear + that-clause (They feared that he wouldn't return.)fear + noun/gerund (Children often fear the dark / going to the dentist.)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “for fear of (doing something)”
- “put the fear of God into someone”
- “in fear and trembling”
- “no fear! (BrE informal refusal)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Concern about market volatility or economic downturns (e.g., 'fears of a recession').
Academic
Used in psychology to describe an emotional response; in political science, discussions of 'climate of fear'.
Everyday
Common emotion discussed in personal contexts (e.g., fear of flying, fear of failure).
Technical
In psychology/neuroscience: a basic survival mechanism; in risk analysis: a factor in decision-making.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- Many residents fear the new development will ruin the village character.
- I fear we've missed the last train.
- They feared for his life during the storm.
American English
- Investors fear the new regulations will hurt profits.
- Don't fear failure; see it as a lesson.
- She feared telling her parents the truth.
adverb
British English
- She looked at him fearfully, unsure of his reaction.
- He stepped fearfully into the dark room.
- The dog growled fearfully at the stranger.
American English
- The child held on fearfully during the rollercoaster ride.
- He glanced fearfully at the approaching boss.
- She answered the question fearfully.
adjective
British English
- The fearful child hid behind his mother.
- We stared at the fearful sight before us.
- He gave a fearful glance over his shoulder.
American English
- The fearful residents boarded up their windows.
- It was a fearful storm that hit the coast.
- She is fearful of making a public speech.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Children sometimes fear the dark.
- She has a fear of dogs.
- Don't fear, I am here with you.
- His biggest fear is failing his final exams.
- Many people fear losing their jobs.
- They expressed fear about the rising crime rate.
- A deep-seated fear of public speaking hampered her career progress.
- The policy was driven by fear rather than rational analysis.
- He tried to hide his fear behind a mask of bravado.
- The government's propaganda stoked primal fears among the populace.
- Philosophical inquiry often begins with the fear of one's own ignorance.
- Her fear was not of death itself, but of a life unlived.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
The word FEAR can be remembered as: False Evidence Appearing Real.
Conceptual Metaphor
FEAR IS A FLUID IN A CONTAINER (e.g., 'filled with fear'), FEAR IS AN OPPONENT (e.g., 'face your fears'), FEAR IS A FORCE (e.g., 'paralyzed by fear').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid using 'страх' for all contexts. 'Fear' is more specific than 'боязнь' or 'опасение'. 'I fear that...' is often better translated as 'Я боюсь, что...' (expressing worry), not just 'Я боюсь...' (which can imply simple physical fear).
Common Mistakes
- Using 'afraid' as a noun (*'I have an afraid'*). Incorrect: *'I fear from spiders.'* Correct: 'I fear spiders' or 'I am afraid of spiders.'
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is NOT a common conceptual metaphor for FEAR?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Fear' is a general, often rational emotion. A 'phobia' is an intense, irrational, and often debilitating fear of a specific object or situation, typically diagnosed as an anxiety disorder.
In its primary sense, it's negative, but a healthy amount of fear (e.g., of consequences) can be adaptive, promoting caution. The reverential 'fear of God' is considered positive in religious contexts.
It is followed by a gerund (-ing form). Correct: 'She didn't speak up for fear of causing offense.' Incorrect: *'...for fear to cause offense.'*
It is neutral. In very informal speech, 'be afraid of' or 'be scared of' are more common. 'I fear that...' can sound slightly more formal or literary than 'I'm afraid that...'
Collections
Part of a collection
Emotions and Feelings
A2 · 33 words · Words to describe how you feel.