Meaning & Definition of Fearful in English

1. Experiencing or showing fear

• "A fearful glance"

• "Fearful of criticism"

2. Causing fear or dread or terror

• "The awful war"

• "An awful risk"

• "Dire news"

• "A career or vengeance so direful that london was shocked"

• "The dread presence of the headmaster"

• "Polio is no longer the dreaded disease it once was"

• "A dreadful storm"

• "A fearful howling"

• "Horrendous explosions shook the city"

• "A terrible curse"

3. Lacking courage

• Ignobly timid and faint-hearted

• "Cowardly dogs, ye will not aid me then"- p.b.shelley

4. Extremely distressing

• "Fearful slum conditions"

• "A frightful mistake"

5. Timid by nature or revealing timidity

• "Timorous little mouse"

• "In a timorous tone"

• "Cast fearful glances at the large dog"