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Afraid vs Cowardly - What's the difference?

afraid | cowardly |

As adjectives the difference between afraid and cowardly

is that afraid is impressed with fear or apprehension; in fear while cowardly is showing cowardice; lacking in courage; basely or weakly fearful.

As an adverb cowardly is

in the manner of a coward.

afraid

English

Adjective

(en adjective)
  • Impressed with fear or apprehension; in fear.
    • He is afraid of death.
    He is afraid to die.
    He is afraid that he will die.
  • (colloquial) regretful, sorry
    • I am afraid I can not help you in this matter .

    Usage notes

    * (term) expresses a lesser degree of fear than (terrified) or (frightened). It is often followed by the preposition (term) and the object of fear, or by an infinitive, or by a dependent clause, as shown in the examples above.

    Synonyms

    * (Impressed with fear or apprehension) afeared, alarmed, anxious, apprehensive, fearful, timid, timorous * (Regretful) sorry * See also

    Derived terms

    * 'fraid * afraidness * I'm afraid not * I'm afraid so * unafraid

    See also

    * fear

    Statistics

    * 1000 English basic words ----

    cowardly

    English

    Adverb

    (en adverb)
  • In the manner of a coward.
  • * , Folio Society, 2006, vol.1, p.48:
    • I love to follow them, but not so cowardly , as my life remaine thereby in subjection.

    Adjective

    (en-adj)
  • Showing cowardice; lacking in courage; basely or weakly fearful.
  • * Shakespeare
    • The cowardly rascals that ran from the battle.
  • * Burke
    • The cowardly rashness of those who dare not look danger in the face.

    Related terms

    * coward