Afeared

In Appalachian speech, "afeared" means afraid, scared, or fearful. It’s an older English form that survived in the mountains long after it faded elsewhere.

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synonyms: scared, frightened, terrified, scared, frightened, terrified

Hillbilly Dude Says...

I'm pretty sure I've only heard 'afeared' on 'Beverly Hillbillies' - but I could image some old timers may still say it. I've just never heard it.

Hillbilly Dude Says...

I'm pretty sure I've only heard 'afeared' on 'Beverly Hillbillies' - but I could image some old timers may still say it. I've just never heard it.

Pronunciation

[uh-FEERD]

Meaning & Usage

- Afraid, Scared (adjective)

Earl:

You afeared of them coyotes yappin’?

Ruby:

Naw, I’m just afeared they’ll spook the chickens.

Mae:

He was afeared to go near the old mine shaft.

Estel:

Reckon I would be too.

variations: afeard, afreed, afeerd

★ If you hear "afeared," don’t think it’s a mistake - it’s an older form of "afraid," kept alive in Appalachian and Southern speech. ★

Origin and Etymology

From Middle English "afred" or "afeard," used in the 14th-16th centuries. Shakespeare himself used "afeard" in his plays. While most of English shifted to "afraid," Appalachia held on to the older form through oral tradition.

Usage Notes

"Afeared" is still heard in rural areas of the South and Appalachia, especially among older generations. It can show up in literature, ballads, and storytelling to give a sense of authenticity or old-time flavor.

Say It Like a Southerner

Play audio Say it quick and plain: "uh-FEERD." Drop the extra syllable in "afraid" and you’ve got the mountain version - the same way folks in Shakespeare’s England might have said it.

Kin Topics

Common Questions

Is "afeared" proper English?

It’s historically proper, though considered archaic. In Appalachia, it’s still everyday talk.

Did Shakespeare really use "afeared"?

Yes - the word appears in plays like *Macbeth* and *The Tempest.*

What’s the difference between "afeared" and "afraid"?

No real difference - "afeared" is just the older form that Appalachians preserved.

Do younger people still use it?

Less often, but you’ll still hear it in storytelling, songs, and among folks keeping traditions alive.

How to Cite This Page

APA (7th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, September 13). Afeared. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/afeared
MLA (9th edition)
"The Hillbilly Dude." "Afeared." HillbillySlang.com, 13 Sept. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/afeared.
Chicago (17th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. "Afeared." HillbillySlang.com. September 13, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/afeared.

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