fearfully
gb/fˈɛɹfəli/ us/fˈɛɹfəli/
B2
Anglais
~ 8300
Sens
0 sens
adverb
B2
property
1
in a way that shows fear
In a way that shows you are very afraid or worried about something bad that might happen.
Schéma d’usage :
[someone] [verb] fearfully
Erreur fréquente :
Learners sometimes say *"afraidly"* instead of "fearfully" (e.g., *"She looked afraidly at him"*). The correct adverb is "fearfully" or more commonly "with fear" or "in fear" ("She looked fearfully at him" / "She looked at him with fear").
Synonymes
nervously (Often suggests general worry or shyness, while "fearfully" suggests stronger fear or a sense of danger.)
Antonymes
confidently (Shows calm belief in oneself or in the situation, the opposite of acting with fear.)
Collocations
look fearfully
|whisper fearfully
|ask fearfully
|back away fearfully
|tremble fearfully
Thèmes
emotions
|daily life
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Exemples
- She glanced fearfully over her shoulder, sure that someone was following her.
- The child clung to his mother and stared fearfully at the barking dog.
- He waited fearfully for the doctor to give him the test results.
- They walked fearfully through the dark, empty house, jumping at every sound.
- The soldier listened fearfully to the bombs exploding in the distance.
Exemples pédagogiques
- The little boy looked fearfully at the big dog.
- She opened the door fearfully because she heard a strange noise.
- He waited fearfully for his exam score.
- The woman spoke fearfully about the war.
- The student walked fearfully into the principal’s office.
adverb
literary
C1
property
2
to a very great degree
Very; extremely, usually before a negative or serious word like "cold" or "sorry".
Schéma d’usage :
fearfully [adjective]
Erreur fréquente :
Learners may think "fearfully" always describes feeling afraid. In this literary use, it is an intensifier meaning "very" or "extremely", especially before negative adjectives ("fearfully cold", "fearfully expensive"). It does not mean that someone feels fear in these sentences.
Synonymes
terribly (More common in modern English as an intensifier; can sound less formal and more conversational than "fearfully".)
Antonymes
slightly (Describes a small degree, the opposite of the very strong degree expressed by "fearfully".)
Collocations
fearfully cold
|fearfully expensive
|fearfully complicated
|fearfully sorry
|fearfully dangerous
Thèmes
evaluation
|emotions
|core_vocabulary
Exemples
- The wind outside was fearfully strong, shaking the windows in their frames.
- Rent in the city has become fearfully expensive for young people.
- I felt fearfully foolish after realizing my mistake.
- The instructions were fearfully complicated for a beginner.
- She was fearfully tired after working three nights in a row.
Exemples pédagogiques
- It was fearfully cold that night.
- This book is fearfully long for me.
- The test was fearfully difficult.
- He is fearfully busy this week.
- They were fearfully late for the meeting.
unknown
literary
C2
property
3
with reverent awe or respect
In a way that shows very deep respect and awe, especially toward God.
Schéma d’usage :
[someone] [verb] fearfully [before God/in the presence of God]
Erreur fréquente :
Learners may confuse this sense with simple terror. In religious or literary English, "fearfully" can mean with reverent awe, not just physical fear or panic.
Synonymes
reverently (Focuses on deep respect; "fearfully" in this sense adds a feeling of awe and smallness before something holy or powerful.)
Antonymes
disrespectfully (Shows lack of respect or awe, the opposite of acting with reverent fear.)
Collocations
fearfully and wonderfully made
|walk fearfully before God
|serve God fearfully
Thèmes
religion
|emotions
Exemples
- They spoke fearfully of God’s power and justice.
- The text says that humans are "fearfully and wonderfully made," suggesting a creation that inspires awe.
- In that tradition, people are taught to walk fearfully before God, with humility and respect.
- He bowed his head fearfully as the choir began to sing.
- The pilgrims entered the ancient temple fearfully, aware of its sacred history.
Exemples pédagogiques
- The people prayed fearfully in the old church.
- She spoke fearfully about God’s great power.
- They entered the holy place fearfully and quietly.
- The writer says that we are fearfully and wonderfully made by God.
- He lived fearfully before God, with deep respect.
Grammaire
Forme canonique
fearfully
API
GB/fˈɛɹfəli/
US/fˈɛɹfəli/
Syllabes et accentuation
fear - fully (2 syllabes)
Stress on 1st syllable (fear)
Formes du mot
Noun
- Base: fearfully
- Plural: fearfullies
Famille de mots
Expressions
fearfully and wonderfully made
1/fˈɛɹfəli ˈænd wˈʌndɚfli mˈeɪd/
fixed phrase
literary
created in an awe‑inspiring way
Made by God in a way that is very special, complex, and amazing, so that people feel respect and wonder.
Exemples
- The pastor reminded the congregation that they are fearfully and wonderfully made, each with unique gifts.
- The phrase "fearfully and wonderfully made" is often used to express the idea that every human life has great value.
- She wrote in her journal that her child was "fearfully and wonderfully made," quoting the Bible.