fear

1 noun (C, U)

1 an unpleasant feeling of being frightened or worried that something bad is going to happen: The boy's eyes were full of fear. | McCarthy exploited deep-seated fears about communism among the American people.

(+ of): fear of flying | My fear of dentists dates back to when I was a child. (+ for): fears for the future | fear that: fears that his wife might leave him | in fear (=feeling afraid): He thought he heard something and glanced round in fear. | live in fear of (=always be afraid of): Ordinary people live in fear of being arrested by the secret police. | in fear of your life (=feeling afraid that you may be killed) | sb's fears are unfounded (=there is no reason for someone to feel afraid or worried): My fears for their safety proved unfounded.

2 for fear of/for fear that because you are worried that you will make something happen: Helen didn't want to get out of bed, for fear of waking her husband.

3 no fear! BrE informal often humorous used to say that you are definitely not going to do something: “Are you going to Bill's party tonight?” “No fear!”

4 put the fear of God into sb informal to make someone feel that they must do something by telling them what will happen if they do not do it: The Italian manager must have put the fear of God into his team.

5 there's no fear of used to say that something will definitely not happen: There's no fear of him changing his mind.

6 without fear or favour formal in a fair way: to enforce the law without fear or favour

2 verb (T)

1 a word meaning to feel frightened or worried that something bad may happen: Fearing another earthquake, local officials ordered an evacuation. | fear that: Einstein feared that other German scientists would build a nuclear bomb first. | fear to do sth formal (=be afraid to do something): Women feared to go out at night.

2 fear the worst to think that the worst possible thing has happened or might happen: When Tom heard about the accident he immediately feared the worst.

3 to be afraid of someone and what they might do because they are very powerful: The general manager was greatly feared by all his subordinates.

4 fear for to feel worried about someone because you think they might be in danger : fear for sb's safety/life: Mary feared for her son's safety. | fear for sb: He feared for his children.

5 I fear formal used when telling someone that you think that something bad has happened or is true : I fear (that): I fear that we may be too late, Holmes. | I fear so/I fear not: “Is she very ill?” “I fear so.”

6 fear not/never fear formal used to tell someone not to worry: Never fear, he'll be with us soon.

—see also: god­fearing