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fear

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noun American English pronunciation: fear /fɪr/ 
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singularfear
pluralfears
  1. 1
    [uncountable] the feeling that you have when you are frightened

    Edward knew it was dangerous, but he felt no fear.

    fear of:

    She eventually managed to overcome her fear of the dark.

    in fear:

    Martin screamed in fear.

    be filled with fear:

    I was suddenly filled with fear.

    shake/tremble with fear:

    She was shaking with fear.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  fearThesaurus entry for this meaning of fear
  2. 2
    [countable] something bad or unpleasant that you are afraid might happen

    A meeting was set up to try to allay workers’ fears.

    fear about:

    There are fears about the safety of the nuclear plant.

    fear of:

    This latest case has raised fears of an epidemic.

    fear for:

    He expressed fears for his missing wife’s safety.

    fear that:

    Sandbags were placed along the shore amid fears that the lake would overflow.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  fearThesaurus entry for this meaning of fear
  3. 3
    [countable/uncountable] the possibility that something bad will happen
    fear of:

    There’s no fear of becoming bored in a place like this.

    fear (that):

    I don’t think there’s any fear that that will happen.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  fearThesaurus entry for this meaning of fear

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This is the American English definition of fear. View British English definition of fear.

Change your default dictionary and thesaurus to British English.

 

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