Askeered 
In Southern and Appalachian speech, "Askeered" means scared or afraid - a long-standing regional pronunciation of "scared."
#SouthernWords #Appalachia #PeopleandRelationships #Southern
Askeered
Hillbilly Dude Says...
Most of the time I've heard 'askeered,' somebody's being a little silly. But you'll hear it down here. Hillbilly Dude Says...
Most of the time I've heard 'askeered,' somebody's being a little silly. But you'll hear it down here. Pronunciation
[uh-SKEERD]
/əˈskɪrd/
/əˈskɪrd/
Meaning & Usage
- Afraid or scared (adjective)
Mae:
You going down in that cellar?
You going down in that cellar?
Earl:
No ma’am - I’m askeered of spiders.
No ma’am - I’m askeered of spiders.variations: Skeered, Scared, Afraid, Feared (archaic regional form)
★ "Askeered" and "skeered" are regional pronunciations of "scared" or "afraid." The initial "a" reflects older English patterns where "a-" marked adjectives and participles (like "a-hunting," "a-coming"). ★
Origin and Etymology
From older English dialect forms blending "a-" + "scared," common in Scots-Irish and rural British speech. This form persisted in Appalachia and the rural South as "askeered" or "skeered."
Usage Notes
Still heard in rural Southern/Appalachian speech. Outside the region it’s recognized as a folksy or humorous pronunciation but instantly understood as "scared."
Say It Like a Southerner
Say it natural: "askeered" - often runs together as "’skeered" or just "skeered," especially in rural speech.
Kin Topics
Related Pages
How to Cite This Page
- APA (7th edition)The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, September 22). Askeered. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/askeered
- MLA (9th edition)"The Hillbilly Dude." "Askeered." HillbillySlang.com, 22 Sept. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/askeered.
- Chicago (17th edition)The Hillbilly Dude. "Askeered." HillbillySlang.com. September 22, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/askeered.
Most Popular
Latest Accents
Latest Sayings
Latest Slang
Latest Southernish
About
Created by a true, actual, proper, real-life hillbilly, HillbillySlang is a growing field guide to culture, speech, memory, and meaning - rooted in Appalachia but reaching across the world. Every slang word, saying, accent and story is gathered from first-hand experience and trusted sources. The goal: preserve authentic voices and share them with writers, learners, and culture lovers everywhere - with a little humor thrown in here and there. Read more...