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fearful

Meaning in simple English, pronunciation and examples

Pronunciation: US /ˈfɪrfəl/ · UK /ˈfɪəfəl/

fearful means: Feeling afraid or easily becoming afraid.

adjective

AFRAIDB2

Feeling afraid or easily becoming afraid.

  • The child looked fearful.
  • She was fearful of going out alone.
  • They grew fearful for their missing friend's safety.

How to use it: fearful of something/doing something (He was fearful of losing his job.); fearful for someone/something (They were fearful for their daughter's safety.); fearful that… (She was fearful that the bridge might collapse.)

Similar words: afraid, frightened, timid, anxious

Opposites: fearless, confident

Common phrases: fearful of something, a fearful child, fearful for someone

FRIGHTENINGC1

Making people feel very afraid.

  • A fearful roar filled the cave.
  • The wreckage was a fearful sight.
  • They sailed through a fearful storm.

Similar words: frightening, terrifying, fearsome

Opposites: reassuring

Common phrases: a fearful sight, a fearful roar, a fearful storm

Questions about fearful

What does fearful mean?

Feeling afraid or easily becoming afraid.

What is fearful in other languages?

Türkçe: korkmuş · Español: temeroso · Français: craintif · Deutsch: ängstlich · Italiano: timoroso · 日本語: 恐れている

How do you pronounce fearful?

In American English /ˈfɪrfəl/; in British English /ˈfɪəfəl/.

How do you use fearful in a sentence?

The child looked fearful. She was fearful of going out alone.

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fearful in other languages

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