Meaning & Definition of word "Fearful"
Fearful
/ˈfɪr.fəl/
adjective:
- 1. Feeling afraid; anxious or apprehensive.
- Example: She was fearful of the dark and refused to go outside at night.
- 2. Causing or likely to cause fear.
- Example: The fearful prospect of losing her job kept her awake at night.
- 3. Full of fear; filled with apprehension.
- Example: He had a fearful look on his face as he approached the haunted house.
- 4. Timid; easily frightened.
- Example: The fearful puppy hid behind its owner during the thunderstorm.
Etymology
●Middle English, from Old English 'fǽr' meaning 'sudden event, danger', combined with '-ful' meaning 'full of'.
Common Phrases and Expressions
fearful of the unknown:
Apprehensive about what lies ahead.
fearful for one's safety:
Concerned about personal safety.
fearful hearts:
Hearts full of fear.
Related Words
fear:
An emotion induced by a perceived threat.
dread:
Anticipating with great apprehension.
anxiety:
A feeling of worry or unease.
Slang Meanings of fearful
Meaning: Freaked out
● Example Sentence: I was totally freaked out when I heard that noise.
Meaning: Scaredy-cat
● Example Sentence: Don't be such a scaredy-cat; it's just a movie.