fear

 
Pronunciation: /fɪə/

noun

[mass noun]
  • an unpleasant emotion caused by the threat of danger, pain, or harm: I cowered in fear as bullets whizzed past fear of unemployment is paralysing the economy [count noun]: he is prey to irrational fears
  • [count noun] (fear for) a feeling of anxiety concerning the outcome of something or the safety of someone: police launched a hunt for the family amid fears for their safety
  • the likelihood of something unwelcome happening: she observed the other guests without fear of attracting attention
  • archaic a mixed feeling of dread and reverence: the love and fear of God

verb

[with object]
  • be afraid of (someone or something) as likely to be dangerous, painful, or harmful: I hated him but didn’t fear him any more [with clause]: farmers fear that they will lose business
  • [no object] (fear for) feel anxiety on behalf of: I fear for the city with this madman let loose in it
  • [with infinitive] avoid doing something because one is afraid: she eventually feared to go out at all
  • used to express regret or apology: I shall buy her book, though not, I fear, the hardback version
  • archaic regard (God) with reverence and awe: he urged his listeners to fear God

Phrases

for fear of (or that)

to avoid the risk of (or that): no one dared refuse the order for fear of losing their job

never fear

used to reassure someone: we shall meet again, never fear

no fear

British informal used as an emphatic expression of denial or refusal: ‘Are you coming with me?’ ‘No fear—it’s too exciting here.’

put the fear of God in (or into) someone

make someone very frightened: she hoped the threat would put the fear of God in him

without fear or favour

impartially: take all your decisions without fear or favour

Origin:

Old English fǣr 'calamity, danger', fǣran 'frighten', also 'revere', of Germanic origin; related to Dutch gevaar and German Gefahr 'danger'