afraid
- Top 3000
Sense 1
- adjective
- A1
feeling fear because something seems dangerous or because you think something bad may happen
She is afraid of dogs and always crosses the street.
Don't be afraid to ask questions if something is unclear.
He was afraid the thin ice would break under him.
Many passengers are afraid of flying, even on short trips.
Common collocations: be afraid of · afraid to do something · afraid that · terribly afraid · nothing to be afraid of
Part of: Negative emotions, Personality, Attitudes and opinions
Sense 2 · less common
- adjective
- B1
used at the start of a sentence when you tell someone something they will not be happy to hear, to sound polite
I'm afraid we have no rooms left for tonight.
I'm afraid your train has already left the station.
Is the machine broken again? I'm afraid so.
Common collocations: I'm afraid so · I'm afraid not · I'm afraid I can't · I'm afraid there isn't
Part of: Talking to people, Speaking, Attitudes and opinions