Dictionary

fear en · NOUN · etymology 1

Pronunciation

• [fiːɾ] (Scotland)
• /fɛː/ East Anglia, cheer–chair merger
• [fiə̯] (New-Zealand)
• /fɪɚ/ (Canadian, General-American, Standard)
• (Texas) audio
• [fɪə̯] (Australia, Received-Pronunciation)
• /fɪː/ (British, Southern, Standard)
• /fɪjə/ (British, Southern, Standard)
• (California) audio
• [fɪɚ] ~ [fɪɹ̩] (Canadian, General-American, Standard)
• /fɪə/ (Australia, Received-Pronunciation)
• /fiə/ (New-Zealand)
• /fiɾ/ (Scotland)
• [fɛː] East Anglia, cheer–chair merger

Etymology

From Middle English feer, fere, fer (“fear”), from Old English fǣr, ġefǣr (“calamity, sudden danger, peril, sudden attack, terrible sight”), from Proto-Germanic *fērō, *fērą (“danger”), from Proto-Indo-European *per- (“to go through, carry forth, try”). Cognate with Dutch gevaar (“danger, risk, peril”), German Gefahr (“danger, hazard, risk”), Danish fare (“danger, hazard, risk”), Faroese and Icelandic fár (“accident, anger, calamity”), Norwegian Bokmål and Norwegian Nynorsk fare (“danger”), Swedish fara (“danger, risk, peril”), Latin perīculum (“danger, risk, trial”), Ancient Greek πεῖρα (peîra, “trial, experiment”), Armenian փորձ (pʻorj, “attempt”). Doublet of peril. The verb is from Middle English feren, from Old English fǣran (“to frighten, raven”), from the noun. Cognate with the archaic Dutch verb varen (“to fear, to cause fear”).

Meanings

1. (uncountable) A strong, unpleasant emotion or feeling caused by actual or perceived danger or threat.
   • I corralled the judge, and we started off across the fields, in no very mild state of fear of that gentleman's wife, whose vigilance was seldom relaxed. 1897 December (indicated as 1898), Winston Churchill, chapter VIII, in The Celebrity: An Episode, New York, N.Y.: The Macmillan Company; London: Macmillan & Co., Ltd., →OCLC:
   • Turning back, then, toward the basement staircase, she began to grope her way through blinding darkness, but had taken only a few uncertain steps when, of a sudden, she stopped short and for a little stood like a stricken thing, quite motionless save that she quaked to her very marrow in the grasp of a great and enervating fear. 1914 November, Louis Joseph Vance, “An Outsider […]”, in Munsey’s Magazine, volume LIII, number II, New York, N.Y.: The Frank A[ndrew] Munsey Company, […], published 1915, →OCLC, chapter III (Accessory After the Fact), page 382, column 1:
   • He was struck by fear on seeing the snake.
   • Serene, smiling, enigmatic, she faced him with no fear whatever showing in her dark eyes. The clear light of the bright autumn morning had no terrors for youth and health like hers. 1910, Emerson Hough, chapter I, in The Purchase Price: Or The Cause of Compromise, Indianapolis, Ind.: The Bobbs-Merrill Company, →OCLC:
2. (countable) A phobia, a sense of fear induced by something or someone in particular.
   • Not everybody has the same fears.
   • I have a fear of ants.
3. (countable) Something one is afraid of; the object of one’s fear.
   • Spiders are my greatest fear.
4. (uncountable) Terrified veneration or reverence, particularly towards God, gods, or sovereigns.
   • The feare of the Lord is the beginning of wisedome. 1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, Psalm CXI:10:
   • That sacred dread of all offence to him, which is called the Fear of God. 1846, [John Ruskin], Modern Painters […], volume II, London: Smith, Elder and Co., […], →OCLC, part III (Of Ideas of Beauty), section I (Of the Theoretic Faculty), page 121:
5. (UK, countable, qualifier:"the fear", uncountable, with-definite-article) A feeling of dread and anxiety when waking after drinking a lot of alcohol, wondering what one did while drunk.
   • Her feeling of humiliation had intensified as the day had gone on and her hangover had worsened. She now also had 'the fear' to contend with, […] 2019, Ruth Kelly, The Little Vineyard in Provence:
   • He had the fear, that feeling of dread that you've done something really embarrassing. The fear was a hundred times worse than the hangover. No, a thousand times worse. 2020, Mark Ratcliffe, The Step Down: A Very Scottish Crime:

Forms

Antonyms

courage

Deriveds

put the fear of God into · fearful · overfear · fearsome · stage fear · no fear · fearlike · night fear · rub the fear of God into · technofear · antifear · have no fear of ice cold beer · fearnaught · fearless · fearscape · nightfear · for fear of · strike fear · unfear · water-fear · fearthought · fear campaign · fearfest · for fear that · fear monger · snake fear · water fear · fearmonger · fear of missing out · affear · fear gortha · microfear · night-fear · geometry of fear · without fear or favour

Hypernyms

emotion

Hyponyms

petrification · nervousness · caution · horror · foreboding · uneasiness · fright · apprehension · worry · scare · trepidation · anxiety · scaredness · dismay · heebie-jeebies · wariness · panic · willies · creeps · consternation · phobia · terror · tentativeness · affright · awe · dread · alarm

Relateds

intimidation · sinking feeling · terrorism · one's heart in one's mouth · shy · cowardly · afraid · one's heart in one's throat · have one's heart in one's boots

Synonyms

afraidness · dread · hangxiety · fear

Translations (406)

ay asxaraña (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · ar خَوْف (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · lad ispantu (Monastir) (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · uz doʻq (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · la timor (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · hy երկյուղ (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · mww ntshai (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · fro peor (a phobia; sense of fear induced by something or someone) · lij poîa (a phobia; sense of fear induced by something or someone) · fr crainte (a phobia; sense of fear induced by something or someone) · de Phobie (a phobia; sense of fear induced by something or someone) · ko 공포증 (a phobia; sense of fear induced by something or someone) · ne भय (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · uk ляк (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · sh strȃh (a phobia; sense of fear induced by something or someone) · ro spaimă (extreme veneration or awe) · my ဘယာ (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · ml പേടി (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · sh bȍjāzan (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · mt biża (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · ltg baile (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · lij póia (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · pt pavor (a phobia; sense of fear induced by something or someone) · cs strach (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · et hirm (a phobia; sense of fear induced by something or someone) · mk страв (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · kmr tirs (extreme veneration or awe) · hi भय (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · is hræðsla (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · ko 공포 (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · lmo pavura (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · lv bažas (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · ur ڈَر (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · da angst (a phobia; sense of fear induced by something or someone) · de Angscht (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · ko 겁 (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · txb parskalñe (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · ru боя́знь (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · pt fobia (a phobia; sense of fear induced by something or someone) · uk страх (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · ru страх (extreme veneration or awe) · ta பயம் (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · sh strȃh (extreme veneration or awe) · ar خوف (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · mr भीती (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · sv rädsla (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · fa تَرْس (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · sh strȃh (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · ang eġe (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · fa سَهْم (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · la metus (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · sh стра̑х (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · ca por (a phobia; sense of fear induced by something or someone) · gd uabhas (a phobia; sense of fear induced by something or someone) · fa خَوف (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · sa भय (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · ru страх (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · uk фо́бія (a phobia; sense of fear induced by something or someone) · cy ofn (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · fur timôr (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · tl takot (a phobia; sense of fear induced by something or someone) · fa هَراس (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · hu félelem (a phobia; sense of fear induced by something or someone) · ja 恐れ (extreme veneration or awe) · lb Fuercht (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · wa paw (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · de Angst (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · gv aggle (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · af vrees (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · de Engschti (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · es temor (extreme veneration or awe) · bg боя́зън (extreme veneration or awe) · hu rettenet (a phobia; sense of fear induced by something or someone) · kk қорқыныш (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · gd oillt (extreme veneration or awe) · ang eġe (a phobia; sense of fear induced by something or someone) · fa بیم (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · ja 畏れ (extreme veneration or awe) · sv skräck (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · fa تَرْس (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · lo ຫວາດ (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · os тас (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · hy վախ (a phobia; sense of fear induced by something or someone) · rsk страх (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · fi pelko (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · swb fazaa (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · lad temor (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · chr ᎤᎾᏰᎯᏍᏗ (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · sw kicho (a phobia; sense of fear induced by something or someone) · km ការខ្លាច (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · hu félelem (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · ca respecte (extreme veneration or awe) · rue страх (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · bg страх (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · el φόβος (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · tg саҳм (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · ast mieu (a phobia; sense of fear induced by something or someone) · be бая́знь (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · ur سَہْم (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · scn pagura (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · fr peur (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · be бо́язь (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · be фо́бія (a phobia; sense of fear induced by something or someone) · nl schrik (a phobia; sense of fear induced by something or someone) · wa peu (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · rm tema (a phobia; sense of fear induced by something or someone) · sv fruktan (a phobia; sense of fear induced by something or someone) · ca basarda (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · ar وَهَل (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · ky коркуу (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · fa خُوف (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · zne gunde (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · mwl miedo (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · ka შიში (a phobia; sense of fear induced by something or someone) · kmr tirs (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · fur pôre (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · la pavor (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · bo ཞེད་སྣང (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · pt temor (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · lo ຄວາມກົວ (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · hu rettegés (a phobia; sense of fear induced by something or someone) · et kartus (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · bn ভয় (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · swb trisidzo (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · kaw wĕdi (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · sva მაყალ (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · he יִרְאָה (extreme veneration or awe) · bg опасе́ние (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · ckb ترس (a phobia; sense of fear induced by something or someone) · hi खौफ (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · ja 恐怖 (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · sl strahospoštovanje (extreme veneration or awe) · gd oillt (a phobia; sense of fear induced by something or someone) · ca paüra (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · pl strach (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · ckb ترس و لەرز (a phobia; sense of fear induced by something or someone) · nl angst (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · es respeto (extreme veneration or awe) · cs bázeň (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · yo ẹ̀rù (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · gd uabhas (extreme veneration or awe) · uby гьыгьа (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · ar خوف (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · om sodaa (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · ru страх (a phobia; sense of fear induced by something or someone) · hi सहम (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · te భయము (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · be бо́язьнь (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · ca temor (extreme veneration or awe) · hi घबराहट (a phobia; sense of fear induced by something or someone) · alt корку (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · ar خْلعة (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · txb īwate (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · aht niget (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · hil hadlok (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · ota وحشت (a phobia; sense of fear induced by something or someone) · gld нгэлэ- (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · zza ters (diq) (a phobia; sense of fear induced by something or someone) · egy s-nD-D:V1-A2 (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · eo fobio (a phobia; sense of fear induced by something or someone) · vo dred (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · enm fer (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · gl temor (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · ro teamă (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · eo timo (a phobia; sense of fear induced by something or someone) · lzh 惧 (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · eu herstura (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · kk үрей (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · yi שרעק (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · lt bijojimas (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · mn айх (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · sv rädsla (a phobia; sense of fear induced by something or someone) · ist pagura (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · nl vrees (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · hi परवाह (extreme veneration or awe) · fr peur (a phobia; sense of fear induced by something or someone) · gd oillt (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · th ความกลัว (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · vi sự khiếp đảm (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · ja 恐れ (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · ia timor (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · es pavor (a phobia; sense of fear induced by something or someone) · pt medo (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · ms takut (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · fo bangilsi (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · ps بيم (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · tg бим (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · ia pavor (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · de Furcht (a phobia; sense of fear induced by something or someone) · pl lęk (a phobia; sense of fear induced by something or someone) · jje ᄆᆞ슴 (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · jv wedi (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · got 𐌰𐌲𐌹𐍃 (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · sh стра̑х (extreme veneration or awe) · sw hofu (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · hsb trach (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · lad espanto (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · ceb hadlok (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · de Furcht (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · jje 겁 (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · fa بِیم (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · sk strach (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · zh 恐怖 (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · pro paor (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · ka შიში (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · ca temor (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · csb strach (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · ms ketakutan (a phobia; sense of fear induced by something or someone) · ast mieu (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · gl receo (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · ckb ترس (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · ne डर (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · tet ta'uk (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · ro fobie (a phobia; sense of fear induced by something or someone) · ca basarda (a phobia; sense of fear induced by something or someone) · ur بَھی (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · nl angst (a phobia; sense of fear induced by something or someone) · de Angst (a phobia; sense of fear induced by something or someone) · km ភ័យ (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · lv bailes (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · ckb ترس (extreme veneration or awe) · ta அச்சம் (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · mn аймшиг (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · sl strah (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · fi pelko (extreme veneration or awe) · bg боя́зън (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · ro frică (extreme veneration or awe) · lmo pora (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · pap miedu (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · pt temor (extreme veneration or awe) · ur سَہَم (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · hy ահ (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · sq frikë (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · tt курку (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · sk obava (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · gd eagal (extreme veneration or awe) · tg хавф (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · dv ބިރުވެރިކަމަކީ (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · sga ómun (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · ka ზარი (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · pdt Forcht (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · es miedo (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · haw makaʻu (a phobia; sense of fear induced by something or someone) · gl medo (a phobia; sense of fear induced by something or someone) · egy snD-A2 (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · ota قورقو (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · fi pelko (a phobia; sense of fear induced by something or someone) · rif tiggʷdi (a phobia; sense of fear induced by something or someone) · es miedo (a phobia; sense of fear induced by something or someone) · got 𐍆𐌰𐌿𐍂𐌷𐍄𐌴𐌹 (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · ps ډار (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · ga eagla (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · taa nijet (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · id takut (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · tg тарс (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · scn paura (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · hi ख़ौफ़ (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · dsb tšach (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · be бо́язнь (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · sl bojazen (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · pa ڈَر (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · ar خوف (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · ur خَوف (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · km សេចក្តីខ្លាច (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · ha tsṑrō (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · fo ræðsla (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · sq druaj (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · da angst (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · ca paüra (a phobia; sense of fear induced by something or someone) · zh 恐怖 (a phobia; sense of fear induced by something or someone) · ms ketakutan (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · it paura (a phobia; sense of fear induced by something or someone) · lb Angscht (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · sh стра̑х (a phobia; sense of fear induced by something or someone) · et kartus (a phobia; sense of fear induced by something or someone) · sh бо̏ја̄зан (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · bn ডর (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · kn ಹೆದರಿಕೆ (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · ru фо́бия (a phobia; sense of fear induced by something or someone) · mba haduk (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · am ፍርሃት (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · lt baimė (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · mn айдас (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · hy վախ (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · ca por (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · sq drojë (a phobia; sense of fear induced by something or someone) · ga eagla (a phobia; sense of fear induced by something or someone) · sc timoria (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · or ଡର (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · ru боя́знь (a phobia; sense of fear induced by something or someone) · pl niepokój (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · cu страхъ (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · kmr tirs (a phobia; sense of fear induced by something or someone) · ang eġe (extreme veneration or awe) · orv страхъ (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · si බය (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · sw woga (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · cu ⱄⱅⱃⰰⱈⱏ (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · fa پَرْوا (extreme veneration or awe) · bn ত্রাস (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · da frygt (extreme veneration or awe) · az qorxu (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · ca temor (a phobia; sense of fear induced by something or someone) · cim dabòrte (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · ga eagla (extreme veneration or awe) · ne त्रास (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · ky коркунуч (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · pox stroch (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · kn ಭಯ (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · is beygur (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · sl strah (a phobia; sense of fear induced by something or someone) · non ótti (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · ltg baime (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · tr korku (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · et hirm (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · ro frică (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · ru опасе́ние (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · syl ꠒꠞ (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · hy երկյուղ (extreme veneration or awe) · ga scéin (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · lij póia (a phobia; sense of fear induced by something or someone) · ace takot (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · bg фо́бия (a phobia; sense of fear induced by something or someone) · grc φόβος (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · aln tut (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · bbl ჴერლʻომ (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · alt коркуш (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · uk боя́знь (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · ota وحشت (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · fa هَرَاس (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · da frygt (a phobia; sense of fear induced by something or someone) · ist tamur (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · sk bázeň (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · fr crainte (extreme veneration or awe) · it timore (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · pt receio (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · it paura (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · cu боꙗзнь (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · as ভয় (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · ja 恐怖症 (a phobia; sense of fear induced by something or someone) · tk heder (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · km សេចក្តីខ្លាច (a phobia; sense of fear induced by something or someone) · be бая́зьнь (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · tk gorky (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · es pavura (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · ext mieu (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · non uggr (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · cs obava (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · ota قورقو (a phobia; sense of fear induced by something or someone) · de Ehrfurcht (extreme veneration or awe) · ml ഭയം (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · lo ຄວາມຢ້ານ (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · gd eagal (a phobia; sense of fear induced by something or someone) · be страх (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · fo ótti (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · tpw sykyîé (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · ug قورقۇش (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · nds Furcht (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · ps خوف (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · fi kammo (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · br aon (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · sc timoria (a phobia; sense of fear induced by something or someone) · vi sự sợ hãi (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · el φοβία (a phobia; sense of fear induced by something or someone) · gl medo (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · ps ترس (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · yue 恐懼 /恐惧 (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · he פַּחַד (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · sv fruktan (extreme veneration or awe) · ml ഭയം (a phobia; sense of fear induced by something or someone) · nb frykt (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · pa ਡਰ (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · fro peor (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · ps باک (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · pl bojaźń (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · fr crainte (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · enm ferd (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · zdj uhara (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · lij poîa (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · rm tema (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · cs strach (a phobia; sense of fear induced by something or someone) · yi מורא (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · haw makaʻu (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · tg ҳарос (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · oc paur (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · el δέος (extreme veneration or awe) · tg ваҳм (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · da frygt (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · hi डर (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · nb redsel (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · tl takot (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · uz qoʻrquv (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · gd eagal (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · ba ҡурҡыу (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · la pavor (a phobia; sense of fear induced by something or someone) · es pavor (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · eo timo (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · oc paur (a phobia; sense of fear induced by something or someone) · fo angist (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · is ótti (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · cs strach (extreme veneration or awe) · gd uabhas (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · es temor (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat) · ms ketakutan (extreme veneration or awe) · pt medo (a phobia; sense of fear induced by something or someone) · non hræðsla (uncountable: emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat)

fear en · VERB · etymology 1

Pronunciation

• [fiːɾ] (Scotland)
• /fɛː/ East Anglia, cheer–chair merger
• [fiə̯] (New-Zealand)
• /fɪɚ/ (Canadian, General-American, Standard)
• (Texas) audio
• [fɪə̯] (Australia, Received-Pronunciation)
• /fɪː/ (British, Southern, Standard)
• /fɪjə/ (British, Southern, Standard)
• (California) audio
• [fɪɚ] ~ [fɪɹ̩] (Canadian, General-American, Standard)
• /fɪə/ (Australia, Received-Pronunciation)
• /fiə/ (New-Zealand)
• /fiɾ/ (Scotland)
• [fɛː] East Anglia, cheer–chair merger

Etymology

From Middle English feer, fere, fer (“fear”), from Old English fǣr, ġefǣr (“calamity, sudden danger, peril, sudden attack, terrible sight”), from Proto-Germanic *fērō, *fērą (“danger”), from Proto-Indo-European *per- (“to go through, carry forth, try”). Cognate with Dutch gevaar (“danger, risk, peril”), German Gefahr (“danger, hazard, risk”), Danish fare (“danger, hazard, risk”), Faroese and Icelandic fár (“accident, anger, calamity”), Norwegian Bokmål and Norwegian Nynorsk fare (“danger”), Swedish fara (“danger, risk, peril”), Latin perīculum (“danger, risk, trial”), Ancient Greek πεῖρα (peîra, “trial, experiment”), Armenian փորձ (pʻorj, “attempt”). Doublet of peril. The verb is from Middle English feren, from Old English fǣran (“to frighten, raven”), from the noun. Cognate with the archaic Dutch verb varen (“to fear, to cause fear”).

Meanings

1. (transitive) To be afraid of (something or someone); to consider or expect (something or someone) with alarm.
   • And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. 1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, Matthew 10:28:
   • I greatly fear my money is not safe. c. 1594 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Comedie of Errors”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act I, scene ii]:
   • I fear the worst will happen.
   • At twilight in the summer there is never anybody to fear—man, woman, or cat—in the chambers and at that hour the mice come out. They do not eat parchment or foolscap or red tape, but they eat the luncheon crumbs. 1892, Walter Besant, chapter II, in The Ivory Gate […], New York, N.Y.: Harper & Brothers, […], →OCLC:
   • One particularly damaging, but often ignored, effect of conflict on education is the proliferation of attacks on schools[…]as children, teachers or school buildings become the targets of attacks. Parents fear sending their children to school. Girls are particularly vulnerable to sexual violence. 2013 July 19, Mark Tran, “Denied an education by war”, in The Guardian Weekly, volume 189, number 6, page 1:
2. (intransitive) To feel fear.
   • Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. 1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, Luke 12:32:
   • Never fear; help is always near.
3. (intransitive) To worry about, to feel concern for, to be afraid for [with for].
   • She fears for her son’s safety.
4. (transitive) To venerate; to feel awe towards.
   • People who fear God can be found in Christian churches.
5. (transitive) To regret.
   • I fear I have bad news for you: your husband has died.
6. (obsolete, transitive) To cause fear to; to frighten.
   • We must not make a scarecrow of the law, Setting it up to fear the birds of prey, And let it keep one shape, till custom make it Their perch and not their terror. c. 1603–1604 (date written), William Shakespeare, “Measure for Measure”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act II, scene i]:
   • Ythrild with deepe disdaine of his proud threat, She shortly thus; Fly they, that need to fly; Wordes fearen babes. 1590, Edmund Spenser, “Book III, Canto IV”, in The Faerie Queene. […], London: […] [John Wolfe] for William Ponsonbie, →OCLC, page 448:
   • Tush, tush! fear boys with bugs. c. 1590–1592 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Taming of the Shrew”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act I, scene ii]:
   • Thenne the knyghte sayd to syre Gawayn / bynde thy wounde or thy blee chaunge / for thou bybledest al thy hors and thy fayre armes /[…]/ For who someuer is hurte with this blade he shalle neuer be staunched of bledynge / Thenne ansuerd gawayn hit greueth me but lytyl / thy grete wordes shalle not feare me ne lasse my courage 1485, Sir Thomas Malory, chapter X, in Le Morte Darthur, book V:
7. (obsolete, transitive) To be anxious or solicitous for.
   • The sins of the father are to be laid upon the children: therefore, I promise ye, I fear you. c. 1596–1598 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Merchant of Venice”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act III, scene v]:
   • Fearst thou thy person? thou shalt haue a guard: 1594, Christopher Marlow[e], The Troublesome Raigne and Lamentable Death of Edward the Second, King of England: […], London: […] [Eliot’s Court Press] for Henry Bell, […], published 1622, →OCLC, (please specify the page):
8. (obsolete, transitive) To suspect; to doubt.
   • Fear you not her courage? 1591 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Second Part of Henry the Sixt, […]”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies. […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act I, scene iv]:

Forms

Antonyms

belittle (antonym(s) of “venerate, to feel awe towards”) · contemn (antonym(s) of “venerate, to feel awe towards”)

Deriveds

never fear · God-fearing · Allah-fearing · fools rush in where angels fear to tread · gods-fearing · fear not · I fear · fearable · water-fearing · fearer

Synonyms

revere (venerate, to feel awe towards) · terrorize (feel fear about (something)) · venerate (venerate, to feel awe towards) · be in awe of (venerate, to feel awe towards) · be scared of (feel fear about (something)) · be frightened of (feel fear about (something)) · be terrorise (feel fear about (something)) · be afraid of (feel fear about (something))

Translations (263)

ar خَافَ (venerate; to feel awe towards) · ja 怖がる (feel fear about (something)) · mk се плаши (feel fear about (something)) · otk 𐰖𐰃𐰣 (feel fear about (something)) · nrf croindre (feel fear about (something)) · ar اترعب (feel fear about (something)) · got 𐍉𐌲𐌰𐌽 (feel fear about (something)) · ru страши́ться (feel fear about (something)) · sl báti se (feel fear about (something)) · eo timi (feel fear about (something)) · ca témer (venerate; to feel awe towards) · nl vrezen (venerate; to feel awe towards) · gl temer (feel fear about (something)) · zh 害怕 (feel fear about (something)) · gl recear (feel fear about (something)) · hi डरना (feel fear about (something)) · non hræðask (feel fear about (something)) · ar خاف (feel fear about (something)) · fi pelätä (venerate; to feel awe towards) · ln banga (feel fear about (something)) · tr ürkmek (feel fear about (something)) · jje ᄆᆞ시다 (feel fear about (something)) · pl bać się (feel fear about (something)) · sv rädas (feel fear about (something)) · fur temê (feel fear about (something)) · fo ræðast (feel fear about (something)) · uk ляка́тися (feel fear about (something)) · ca respectar (venerate; to feel awe towards) · hu aggódik ((used with for) to worry about, to feel concern for, to be afraid for) · be пужа́цца (feel fear about (something)) · nl bang zijn voor (feel fear about (something)) · lol banga (feel fear about (something)) · sa बिभेति (feel fear about (something)) · tg тарсидан (feel fear about (something)) · ast atarrecer (feel fear about (something)) · lo ຢ້ານກົວ (feel fear about (something)) · uga 𐎄𐎈𐎍 (feel fear about (something)) · qu manzai (feel fear about (something)) · chr ᎠᏍᎦᎢᎭ (feel fear about (something)) · nl bang zijn (to regret) · sw -hofu (feel fear about (something)) · ht pè (venerate; to feel awe towards) · ko 겁내다 (feel fear about (something)) · rap mataku (feel fear about (something)) · uk страши́тися (feel fear about (something)) · cop ⲥⲛⲁⲧ (feel fear about (something)) · sc tímere (feel fear about (something)) · ne तर्सिनु (feel fear about (something)) · fo stúra fyri (feel fear about (something)) · uz hayiqmoq (feel fear about (something)) · lt baimintis (feel fear about (something)) · jje 저어라ᄒᆞ다 (feel fear about (something)) · sl báti se ((used with for) to worry about, to feel concern for, to be afraid for) · th หวั่น (feel fear about (something)) · vec temer (feel fear about (something)) · grc φοβέομαι (feel fear about (something)) · hu sajnál (to regret) · izh hervitä (feel fear about (something)) · be пало́хацца (feel fear about (something)) · ar خاف (feel fear about (something)) · hu félt ((used with for) to worry about, to feel concern for, to be afraid for) · my ကြောက် (feel fear about (something)) · fa ترسیدن (feel fear about (something)) · he יָרֵא (feel fear about (something)) · lv baidīties (feel fear about (something)) · vi hãi (feel fear about (something)) · mnc ᠰᡝᠩᡤᡠᠸᡝᠮᠪᡳ (feel fear about (something)) · se ballat (feel fear about (something)) · hy երկյուղել (feel fear about (something)) · su sebér (feel fear about (something)) · uk поло́хатися (feel fear about (something)) · mnw ဖေက် (feel fear about (something)) · wa aveur paw (feel fear about (something)) · sh пла̏шити се (feel fear about (something)) · jje 겁내다 (feel fear about (something)) · el φοβάμαι (feel fear about (something)) · ms takut (feel fear about (something)) · th เกรง (feel fear about (something)) · grc ὀκνέω (feel fear about (something)) · ur ڈرنا (feel fear about (something)) · ang ondrǣdan (feel fear about (something)) · wa crinde (venerate; to feel awe towards) · sv vörda (venerate; to feel awe towards) · ru пуга́ться (feel fear about (something)) · sw kucha (venerate; to feel awe towards) · ar رَهِبَ (feel fear about (something)) · es lamentar (to regret) · ar هَابَ (feel fear about (something)) · id takut (feel fear about (something)) · ca tenir por de (feel fear about (something)) · sc timi (feel fear about (something)) · th ขาม (feel fear about (something)) · csb bòjec (feel fear about (something)) · pt temer (venerate; to feel awe towards) · la formidō (feel fear about (something)) · is hræðast (feel fear about (something)) · ht pè (feel fear about (something)) · hy վախենալ (feel fear about (something)) · wa crinde (feel fear about (something)) · pl lękać się (feel fear about (something)) · rm tmair (feel fear about (something)) · pt temer (feel fear about (something)) · ar خَافَ (feel fear about (something)) · de fürchten (feel fear about (something)) · lt būgštauti (feel fear about (something)) · sv befara (feel fear about (something)) · bn ভয় করা (feel fear about (something)) · dsb bójaś (feel fear about (something)) · ja 恐れる (feel fear about (something)) · hu attól tart (to regret) · mn айх (feel fear about (something)) · nb frykte (feel fear about (something)) · pt recear (feel fear about (something)) · ia haber timor (feel fear about (something)) · is óttast (feel fear about (something)) · izh pölätä (feel fear about (something)) · rm temair (feel fear about (something)) · ar خَشِيَ عَلَى ((used with for) to worry about, to feel concern for, to be afraid for) · pt ter medo de (feel fear about (something)) · fi pelätä ((used with for) to worry about, to feel concern for, to be afraid for) · la paveō (feel fear about (something)) · ar رَهِبَ (venerate; to feel awe towards) · ga eagla a bheith ort roimh (feel fear about (something)) · bg боя́ се (feel fear about (something)) · ar اِتَّقَى (venerate; to feel awe towards) · la veror (feel fear about (something)) · ru опаса́ться (feel fear about (something)) · qu mancai (feel fear about (something)) · th คร้าม (feel fear about (something)) · da frygte (feel fear about (something)) · non óask ((used with for) to worry about, to feel concern for, to be afraid for) · yi מוירע האָבן (feel fear about (something)) · ar خاف (feel fear about (something)) · sq ka frikë (feel fear about (something)) · it aver paura di (feel fear about (something)) · ro teme (feel fear about (something)) · bg пла́ша се (feel fear about (something)) · eo timiĝi (to feel fear) · kmr tirsîn (feel fear about (something)) · non ugga (feel fear about (something)) · sw -ogopa (feel fear about (something)) · kmr tirsîn (venerate; to feel awe towards) · th ปอด (feel fear about (something)) · tl pagtakot (feel fear about (something)) · rm temer (feel fear about (something)) · uk боя́тися (feel fear about (something)) · ar تْخْلع (feel fear about (something)) · lv bažīties (feel fear about (something)) · mi uruwehi (feel fear about (something)) · ky коркуу (feel fear about (something)) · de but see leider (to regret) · sah куттан (feel fear about (something)) · wa ricrinde (feel fear about (something)) · pl bać się ((used with for) to worry about, to feel concern for, to be afraid for) · th กลัว (feel fear about (something)) · ia timer (feel fear about (something)) · be страшы́цца (feel fear about (something)) · lt bijoti (feel fear about (something)) · la vereor (feel fear about (something)) · lo ກົວ (feel fear about (something)) · oc crénher (feel fear about (something)) · ca témer (feel fear about (something)) · de fürchten um/für ((used with for) to worry about, to feel concern for, to be afraid for) · fr avoir peur (de) (feel fear about (something)) · nl vrezen (feel fear about (something)) · mk се стравува (feel fear about (something)) · de Angst haben vor (feel fear about (something)) · la timeō (feel fear about (something)) · es temer (feel fear about (something)) · ast temer (feel fear about (something)) · ko 무서워하다 (feel fear about (something)) · wa awè peu (feel fear about (something)) · sat ᱵᱳᱨᱳ (feel fear about (something)) · kpv повны (feel fear about (something)) · it temere (feel fear about (something)) · oc crentar (feel fear about (something)) · tt курку (feel fear about (something)) · mnc ᡤᡝᠯᡝᠮᠪᡳ (feel fear about (something)) · cs bát se (venerate; to feel awe towards) · sv frukta (venerate; to feel awe towards) · gl ter medo de (feel fear about (something)) · hy վախենալ (venerate; to feel awe towards) · et kartma (feel fear about (something)) · be бая́цца (feel fear about (something)) · qu manchay (feel fear about (something)) · ja 畏れる (venerate; to feel awe towards) · gl temer (venerate; to feel awe towards) · jje ᄆᆞ슴타다 (feel fear about (something)) · otk 𐰇𐰼𐰛 (feel fear about (something)) · sh бо̀јати се (feel fear about (something)) · ja 怖る (feel fear about (something)) · sh plȁšiti se (feel fear about (something)) · es tener miedo de (feel fear about (something)) · lv bīties (feel fear about (something)) · mnc ᠰᡝᠰᡠᠯᠠᠮᠪᡳ (feel fear about (something)) · uk страха́тися (feel fear about (something)) · grc δείδω (feel fear about (something)) · oc témer (feel fear about (something)) · ne डराउनु (feel fear about (something)) · sa त्रसति (feel fear about (something)) · ar خَشِيَ (venerate; to feel awe towards) · ru боя́ться (feel fear about (something)) · mnc ᡤᠣᠯᠣᠮᠪᡳ (feel fear about (something)) · th ประหวั่น (feel fear about (something)) · de Angst haben um ((used with for) to worry about, to feel concern for, to be afraid for) · lt nuogąstauti (feel fear about (something)) · tr korkmak (feel fear about (something)) · km ខ្លាច (feel fear about (something)) · ko 두려워하다 (feel fear about (something)) · lo ຂຍາດ (feel fear about (something)) · egy snD-A2 (feel fear about (something)) · fr craindre (feel fear about (something)) · ckb ترسین (feel fear about (something)) · gun kyje (feel fear about (something)) · fi pelätä (to regret) · yo bẹ̀rù (feel fear about (something)) · cs bát se (feel fear about (something)) · gug ...rehe kyhyje (feel fear about (something)) · fi pelätä (feel fear about (something)) · he פָּחַד (feel fear about (something)) · ar انرعب (feel fear about (something)) · avd بترسستن (feel fear about (something)) · otk 𐰪 (feel fear about (something)) · kk жасқану (feel fear about (something)) · bg страху́вам се (feel fear about (something)) · az qorxmaq (feel fear about (something)) · hu fél (feel fear about (something)) · io timar (feel fear about (something)) · lv baiļoties (feel fear about (something)) · ckb ترسین (venerate; to feel awe towards) · sv frukta (feel fear about (something)) · zh 怕 (feel fear about (something)) · kk қорқу (feel fear about (something)) · hu fél (venerate; to feel awe towards) · be ляка́цца (feel fear about (something)) · otk 𐰴𐰆𐰺𐰴 (feel fear about (something)) · la metuō (feel fear about (something)) · arc ܕܚܠ (feel fear about (something)) · uz qoʻrqmoq (feel fear about (something)) · fr craindre (venerate; to feel awe towards) · da være bange for (feel fear about (something)) · ml പേടിക്കുക (feel fear about (something)) · sh bòjati se (feel fear about (something)) · txb pärsk- (feel fear about (something)) · sk báť sa (feel fear about (something)) · hy երկնչել (feel fear about (something)) · de fürchten (venerate; to feel awe towards) · ar خَافَ عَلَى ((used with for) to worry about, to feel concern for, to be afraid for) · ms takut (venerate; to feel awe towards) · vi sợ hãi (feel fear about (something)) · ml ഭയക്കുക (feel fear about (something)) · vi sợ (feel fear about (something)) · enm anoyen (feel fear about (something)) · lo ຂາມ (feel fear about (something)) · ar خَشِيَ (feel fear about (something)) · tk gorkmak (feel fear about (something)) · jje 무시다 (feel fear about (something)) · sga ad·ágathar (feel fear about (something)) · id takut (venerate; to feel awe towards) · nl vrezen om ((used with for) to worry about, to feel concern for, to be afraid for) · fi pelätä (to feel fear) · ar خاف (feel fear about (something)) · ka ეშინია (feel fear about (something))

fear en · ADJ · etymology 2

Pronunciation

• [fiːɾ] (Scotland)
• /fɛː/ East Anglia, cheer–chair merger
• [fiə̯] (New-Zealand)
• /fɪɚ/ (Canadian, General-American, Standard)
• (Texas) audio
• [fɪə̯] (Australia, Received-Pronunciation)
• /fɪː/ (British, Southern, Standard)
• /fɪjə/ (British, Southern, Standard)
• (California) audio
• [fɪɚ] ~ [fɪɹ̩] (Canadian, General-American, Standard)
• /fɪə/ (Australia, Received-Pronunciation)
• /fiə/ (New-Zealand)
• /fiɾ/ (Scotland)
• [fɛː] East Anglia, cheer–chair merger

Etymology

From Middle English fere, feore, from Old English fēre (“able to go, fit for service”), from Proto-Germanic *fēriz (“passable”), from Proto-Indo-European *per- (“to put across, ferry”). Cognate with Scots fere, feir (“well, active, sound”), Middle High German gevüere (“able, capable, fit, serviceable”), Swedish för (“capable, able, stout”), Icelandic fær (“able”). Related to fare.

Meanings

1. (dialectal) Able; capable; stout; strong; sound.
   • hale and fear

Forms