filled with fear or apprehension
"afraid even to turn his head"
"suddenly looked afraid"
"afraid for his life"
"afraid of snakes"
"afraid to ask questions"
filled with regret or concern; used often to soften an unpleasant statement
"I'm afraid I won't be able to come"
"he was afraid he would have to let her go"
"I'm afraid you're wrong"
feeling worry or concern or insecurity
"She was afraid that I might be embarrassed"
"terribly afraid of offending someone"
"I am afraid we have witnessed only the first phase of the conflict"
Impressed with fear or apprehension; in fear.
"The children huddled together, afraid of the loud thunder rolling overhead."
In plain English: Afraid means feeling scared or worried that something bad might happen.
"She was afraid to walk home alone at night."
Usage: Use afraid to describe someone who feels fear, worry, or nervousness about a specific situation or outcome. It functions naturally as an adjective after the verb to be or other linking verbs, such as in "I am afraid of spiders."
The word "afraid" comes from the Old French verb meaning "to disturb," which itself traces back to a root related to peace and security. Although it originally meant being disturbed or disquieted rather than fearful, its usage in Middle English evolved into our modern sense of fear.