An Encylopedia Britannica Company

fear

1 fear /ˈfiɚ/ noun
plural fears
1 fear
/ˈfiɚ/
noun
plural fears
Britannica Dictionary definition of FEAR
: an unpleasant emotion caused by being aware of danger : a feeling of being afraid
[noncount]
[count]
◊ If you are in fear of your life or (US) in fear for your life, you are afraid of being killed.
[noncount] : a feeling of respect and wonder for something very powerful
◊ To put the fear of God into someone is to frighten someone very badly.

no fear

British, informal
used in speech to say that there is no reason to be afraid or worried
fear, dread, alarm, and fright mean painful emotion felt because of danger.
fear is the most general word and suggests a continuing emotional state.
dread suggests a strong feeling of not wanting to accept or deal with something bad or unpleasant.
alarm may suggest a strong emotion caused by an unexpected or immediate danger.
fright suggests a feeling caused by something unexpected and often suggests a brief emotion.
2 fear /ˈfiɚ/ verb
fears; feared; fearing
2 fear
/ˈfiɚ/
verb
fears; feared; fearing
Britannica Dictionary definition of FEAR
[+ object] : to be afraid of (something or someone)
sometimes followed by to + verb
[+ object] : to expect or worry about (something bad or unpleasant)
◊ The formal phrase I fear is used when you are worried that something bad or unpleasant has happened or is true.
[no object] : to be afraid and worried
[+ object] : to feel respect and wonder for something very powerful

fear for

[phrasal verb]
fear for (something or someone)
: to feel concern for (something or someone) : to worry about (something or someone)