Causing fear; frightening or terrifying.
The fearsome dragon guarded its treasure in the dark cave.
She built a fearsome reputation as a warrior in the village.
✦ Late 18th century: from 'fear' + the adjective suffix '-some' (indicating 'apt to' or 'causing').
the unpleasant feeling you have when you think something bad or dangerous might happen
A loud crash in the middle of the night filled the children with fear.
He faced his fear of heights and climbed the tall ladder.
✦ Old English “fǣr” meaning sudden danger or calamity, later shifting to the feeling caused by danger.
to feel afraid that something bad may happen
Many people fear flying in airplanes.
I fear that we are lost in these woods.
✦ Developed from the noun sense in Old English; verb use recorded from the 12th century.
