fearfearfears1nounthe feeling that you have when you think that something bad might happen: I have a terrible fear of dogs. He was shaking with fear. My fears for his safety were unnecessary.fearfearfearsfearedfearing2verb (fears, fearing, feared)1to be afraid of somebody or something: We all fear illness and death.speakingIt is more usual to say be afraid of or be frightened of somebody or something.2(formal) to feel that something bad might happen: I fear we will be late.