[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/fear/) [dictionaries](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [English](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/) / [F](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/f/) / fear # fear noun (fear, fears); verb (fear, fears, feared, fearing); adjectives fearful, fearless «fear» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova. ## Everyday 1. Fear is the feeling you have when you think something bad or dangerous might happen. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/fear/#m1) 2. A fear is a particular thing that frightens you: a fear of spiders. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/fear/#m2) 3. To fear something means to be afraid of it. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/fear/#m3) 4. To fear can mean to worry that something bad is true: I fear we are late. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/fear/#m4) ### In the lessons In lessons about feelings, fear is normal and useful: it warns us of danger and makes the heart beat fast and the body ready to run or fight. Being brave means doing the right thing even when you feel fear; talking about fears helps make them smaller. In stories fear builds tension and suspense. Phrases: fear of the dark, in fear, for fear of, face your fears, no fear (informal: no way), shaking with fear. ### Examples - Many children have a fear of the dark. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/fear/#x1) - She was shaking with fear during the storm. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/fear/#x2) - Fear makes your heart beat faster. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/fear/#x3) - Facing your fears can make you stronger. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/fear/#x4) - The rabbit froze in fear when it saw the fox. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/fear/#x5) - He didn't climb the tree for fear of falling. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/fear/#x6) - Tell someone you trust about your fears. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/fear/#x7) - Firefighters run into burning buildings without fear. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/fear/#x8) - Every heart was full of fear. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/fear/#x9) ### Note Noun forms: fear (uncountable feeling), fears (particular things). Adjectives: fearful (full of fear), fearless (without fear). In everyday speech people more often say «be afraid of» or «be scared of» than «fear». A fear of something does not mean it is truly dangerous, and something dangerous can feel safe. ## In Jewish tradition It often means awe and reverence toward God, not only being afraid. "Fear not" is a call for courage. **Interpretation.** "Fear of God" is a basic idea in Judaism: respect for God that leads people to keep the commandments. Tradition also says it means being honest when no one is watching. ### Examples - Thou shalt not rule over him with rigour; but shalt fear thy God. (Torah LEV.25.43, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/F/fear/#x1) - And all the people shall hear, and fear, and do no more presumptuously. (Torah DEU.17.13, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/F/fear/#x2) - And Joseph said unto them: 'Fear not; for am I in the place of God? (Torah GEN.50.19, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/F/fear/#x3) - And Samuel feared to tell Eli the vision. (Prophets 1SA.3.15, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/F/fear/#x4) - Fear not, for thou shalt not be ashamed. (Prophets ISA.54.4, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/F/fear/#x5) - The lion hath roared, who will not fear? (Prophets AMO.3.8, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/F/fear/#x6) ### Note Noun forms: fear (uncountable feeling), fears (particular things). Adjectives: fearful (full of fear), fearless (without fear). In everyday speech people more often say «be afraid of» or «be scared of» than «fear». A fear of something does not mean it is truly dangerous, and something dangerous can feel safe. ## On Mova - [Trees and pragmatics of «fear» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/fear/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames. - [«fear» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/fear.html) on Mova free. - [Trees and pragmatics of «fear» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/F/fear/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames. - [«fear» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/judaism/w/fear.html) on Mova free.