fear
/fɪə(r)/ (bre, ipa) · /fɪr/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈfir/ (ame, mw) · /fɪər/ (bre, ipa)
fear — noun
- fearsingular
- fearsplural
1. the strong unpleasant feeling you get in your body and mind when danger or harm
the strong unpleasant feeling you get in your body and mind when danger or harm seems near or when you believe something bad could happen
Gita felt a sudden fear when she heard footsteps behind her on the dark street.
The fear of losing her job kept Ziad awake at night for weeks.
collocation: fear of + gerund
Paloma's fear of flying made her take the train across the country instead.
Aoi could not hide the fear in her voice as she described the accident.
Eli lived in constant fear of another earthquake after the big one destroyed his village.
文法句型
fear + of + noun/gerund
fear + that-clause
常見錯誤
2. a state of being afraid for your own survival because someone or something could
a state of being afraid for your own survival because someone or something could cause you great harm
Eli lived in constant fear for his life during the war.
phrase: in fear for one's life
The witness was in fear of being attacked if she went to court.
Miners often work in fear of a tunnel collapse deep underground.
Joshua stayed hidden in the basement for fear of the soldiers outside.
- safety
the state of being free from danger or threat
文法句型
for fear of + noun/gerund
in fear of + noun
用法筆記
Typically used in the fixed expressions 'in fear of (one's life)' and 'for fear of + noun/gerund'. The phrase 'for fear of' explains why someone avoids doing something.
常見錯誤
3. expresses the idea that a particular situation or event has absolutely no chance
expresses the idea that a particular situation or event has absolutely no chance of happening
There is no fear of the river flooding now that the new dam is finished.
phrase: no fear of [something]
Élise told her mother there was no fear that she would miss the last train.
No fear of that! The bridge was built to survive even the strongest storms.
With the new security system in place there is no fear of anyone breaking in.
- no chance
more direct and informal; simply states impossibility
- possibility
a situation in which something might happen
- risk
a chance that something bad might happen
文法句型
there is no fear of + noun/gerund
no fear that + clause
用法筆記
Common in British English. 'No fear!' can also stand alone as an informal reply meaning 'definitely not' or 'certainly not'.
常見錯誤
4. the reason someone acts or refuses to act in a certain way — they are afraid som
the reason someone acts or refuses to act in a certain way — they are afraid something bad will take place if they do not
Liam stayed quiet for fear that his answer would make the teacher angry.
phrase: for fear that + clause
Sade locked all the windows for fear of thieves breaking in during the night.
Lan wrote down the address for fear of forgetting it on the way to the party.
The company kept the news secret for fear that staff would quit before the project ended.
文法句型
for fear that + clause
for fear of + gerund
用法筆記
This sense only works within the phrase 'for fear (that/of)'. It explains the motive behind an action. It is not a stand-alone noun meaning 'worry'.
常見錯誤
5. a feeling of deep respect and awe, especially towards God, a spiritual power, or
a feeling of deep respect and awe, especially towards God, a spiritual power, or something very powerful and mysterious in nature
The monks live with a deep fear of God that guides all their daily actions.
collocation: fear of God
Christopher looked up at the old mountains with a sense of fear and wonder.
Pim explained that in his monastery, the fear of God is seen as the beginning of wisdom.
Zuri spoke of the sacred forest with fear in her voice, as if it were alive.
- awe
a feeling of amazed respect mixed with fear or wonder
- reverence
deep respect for someone or something, often in a religious context
- veneration
great respect shown through religious or traditional practices
- disrespect
lack of respect or politeness
- contempt
the feeling that something is worthless or beneath notice
文法句型
fear of + noun
用法筆記
Frequently appears in religious and literary contexts. 'The fear of God' is a set phrase found in the Bible and religious texts — it means reverent awe, not terror.
常見錯誤
fear — verb
- fearpresent simple I / you / we / they
- fears3rd person singular
- fearing-ing form
- fearedpast simple
1. to feel afraid of someone or something because you think they may cause you pain
to feel afraid of someone or something because you think they may cause you pain, harm, or trouble
Pim fears dogs ever since one bit him when he was a small child.
transitive: fear + noun
Many people fear the dentist and put off their check-ups for years.
The old fisherman did not fear the storm because he knew these waters well.
Gabriela fears nothing — she climbed that rock face without ropes or help.
Salma fears for her grandmother's health during the cold winter months.
- be afraid of
more common in everyday speech; 'fear' is slightly more formal
- be scared of
informal, very common in conversation
- dread
stronger; to fear something that has not happened yet and believe it will be terrible
文法句型
fear + noun/pronoun
fear + to-infinitive
fear for + noun
用法筆記
This verb is a stative verb and is almost never used in continuous forms. Say 'I fear the test', not 'I am fearing the test'.
常見錯誤
2. to feel troubled or uneasy about a possible bad outcome or about something that
to feel troubled or uneasy about a possible bad outcome or about something that has possibly gone wrong for someone close to you
Henry feared that his flight would be cancelled because of the heavy snow.
structure: fear + that-clause
The rescue team fears the missing climbers may not have enough food left.
Quinn feared for his younger brother who had not come home from school yet.
Doctors fear that the disease could spread to other towns if not stopped soon.
- worry
more common in conversation; 'fear' suggests a stronger, more serious concern
- be concerned
more formal and less emotionally intense than 'fear'
- be certain
to have no doubt that something will happen
- trust
to believe that everything will be fine
文法句型
fear + that-clause
fear + for + noun
用法筆記
The that-clause can be introduced with or without 'that': 'I fear he is late' is as correct as 'I fear that he is late'. This sense often expresses concern for someone's safety or well-being.
常見錯誤
3. used as a polite or formal way to tell someone something unpleasant or disappoin
used as a polite or formal way to tell someone something unpleasant or disappointing, often news that you wish were not true
I fear we have no choice but to cancel the school trip this year.
register: formal 'I fear' as polite opener
I fear there has been a mistake in the calculations for your salary.
I fear the old library will have to close because the city has no money left.
I fear I cannot attend the wedding next Saturday after all.
- I'm afraid
less formal than 'I fear'; very common in everyday British English ('I'm afraid I can't come')
- regret to say
more formal; common in official letters and announcements
文法句型
I fear + that-clause
用法筆記
Almost always used in the first person singular 'I fear'. It is a set phrase that softens bad news. Not used in questions or negative forms in this sense.
常見錯誤
4. to feel deep respect and awe toward a divine being, a sacred object, or somethin
to feel deep respect and awe toward a divine being, a sacred object, or something majestic in nature — the feeling combines respect, wonder, and a sense of one's own smallness
The villagers fear the ancient volcano as if it were a living god.
formal: fear + sacred/majestic object
In the old stories people feared the forest spirits and left offerings for them.
Ilan does not fear God in the way his grandparents did, but he still prays.
After watching a mudslide sweep away the road, Lan learned to fear the mountain's power.
- revere
to feel deep respect and admiration; less religious than 'fear' in this sense
- be in awe of
to feel a mix of respect, wonder, and slight fear; common in modern English
- venerate
to regard with great respect, especially in a religious context; very formal
文法句型
fear + noun
用法筆記
Archaic or literary register. Modern speakers usually use 'stand in awe of' or 'revere' instead. When 'fear God' appears today, it is typically in religious communities rather than everyday conversation.