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Added 9 October 2026

fearful

/ˈfɪəfəl/ adjective

In Latin: timidus, meticulosus, dirus Wiktionary

adjective Definition from WordNet 3.1, Princeton University. Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about fearful at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

Experiencing or showing fear.
a fearful glance
Causing fear or dread or terror.
the awful war
Lacking courage; ignobly timid and faint-hearted.
cowardly dogs, ye will not aid me then

Origin

From Middle English ferful, fervol, equivalent to fear + -ful.

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

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