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| Language: | Old English |
| Origin: | fær 'sudden danger' |
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fear1 S3 W1
1 [uncountable and countable] the feeling you get when you are afraid or worried that something bad is going to happen COLLOCATIONS COLLOCATIONS 
fear that your deepest/worst/greatest fear irrational fear (=a fear that is not reasonable or based on logic) groundless fear (=a fear that you need not have because what you are afraid of does not happen) deep-seated fear (=a very strong fear that is difficult to change) in fear (of something) be in fear of/for your life (=afraid that you may be killed) be/live in fear (of something) (=be always afraid of something) without fear (of something) trembling/shivering/shaking with fear paralysed with fear (=so afraid that you cannot move) confirm somebody's fears (=show that what you are afraid of has happened) allay/dispel somebody's fears (=stop someone from being afraid) somebody's hopes and fears The boy's eyes were full of fear. There are fears that share prices could decrease still further.
COLLOCATIONS fear that your deepest/worst/greatest fear irrational fear (=a fear that is not reasonable or based on logic) groundless fear (=a fear that you need not have because what you are afraid of does not happen) deep-seated fear (=a very strong fear that is difficult to change) in fear (of something) be in fear of/for your life (=afraid that you may be killed) be/live in fear (of something) (=be always afraid of something) without fear (of something) trembling/shivering/shaking with fear paralysed with fear (=so afraid that you cannot move) confirm somebody's fears (=show that what you are afraid of has happened) allay/dispel somebody's fears (=stop someone from being afraid) somebody's hopes and fears
The boy's eyes were full of fear.There are fears that share prices could decrease still further.2 because you are worried that you will make something happen : She finally ran away for fear that he would kill her.
for fear (that)
, for fear of somethingShe finally ran away for fear that he would kill her.3 used humorously to say that you are definitely not going to do something : 'Are you going to Bill's party tonight?' 'No fear!'
no fear!
British English informal'Are you going to Bill's party tonight?' 'No fear!'4 [uncountable] the possibility or danger that something bad might happen :
5 to make someone feel that they must do something, by making sure they know what will happen if they do not do it : The Italian manager must have put the fear of God into his team.
put the fear of God into somebody
informalThe Italian manager must have put the fear of God into his team.6 in a fair way : The law must be enforced without fear or favour.
without fear or favour
British English formalThe law must be enforced without fear or favour.WORD CHOICE: WORD CHOICE:
fear, afraid, frightenedfear (noun) is the feeling of being afraid. Do not say that you 'have fear'. Use be afraid or be frightened • My whole body was paralysed with fear. • She was suddenly very afraid. • We were too frightened to speak. The verb to fear is used mainly in literature or newspapers, and not usually in speech • She feared that he would not be found alive. • Fearing more riots, the government made concessions. It is more usual to say that someone is afraid or is frightened • My parents are afraid that I'll get involved with drugs. • People were frightened of being mugged.
WORD CHOICE: fear, afraid, frightenedfear (noun) is the feeling of being afraid. Do not say that you 'have fear'. Use be afraid or be frightened • My whole body was paralysed with fear. • She was suddenly very afraid. • We were too frightened to speak. The verb to fear is used mainly in literature or newspapers, and not usually in speech • She feared that he would not be found alive. • Fearing more riots, the government made concessions. It is more usual to say that someone is afraid or is frightened • My parents are afraid that I'll get involved with drugs. • People were frightened of being mugged.
