What's the difference between
and
Enter two words to compare and contrast their definitions, origins, and synonyms to better understand how those words are related.

Afraid vs Frightened - What's the difference?

afraid | frightened |

Frightened is a synonym of afraid.



As adjectives the difference between afraid and frightened

is that afraid is impressed with fear or apprehension; in fear while frightened is afraid; suffering from fear.

As a verb frightened is

past tense of frighten.

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 ----

    frightened

    English

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • Afraid; suffering from fear.
  • *
    • He tried to persuade Cicely to stay away from the ball-room for a fourth dance.But she said she must go back, and when they joined the crowd again her partner was haled off with a frightened look to the royal circle, […].

    Synonyms

    * See also

    Verb

    (head)
  • (frighten)