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Timid vs Afraid - What's the difference?

timid | afraid | Synonyms |

Afraid is a synonym of timid.



As adjectives the difference between timid and afraid

is that timid is lacking in courage or confidence while afraid is impressed with fear or apprehension; in fear.

timid

English

Adjective

(er)
  • Lacking in courage or confidence.
  • *{{quote-book, year=1963, author=(Margery Allingham), title=(The China Governess)
    • , chapter=19 citation , passage=When Timothy and Julia hurried up the staircase to the bedroom floor, where a considerable commotion was taking place, Tim took Barry Leach with him. […]. The captive made no resistance and came not only quietly but in a series of eager little rushes like a timid dog on a choke chain.}}

    Synonyms

    * fearful * timorous * shy

    Antonyms

    * daredevil * dauntless * bellicose * reckless * aggressive

    Derived terms

    * timidly

    Related terms

    * timidity * timidness * intimidate * intimidation

    External links

    * * ----

    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 ----