[fear.ful] adj (14c) 1: causing or likely to cause fear, fright, or alarm esp. because of dangerous quality "a ~ storm"
2. a: full of fear b: indicating or arising from fear "a ~ glance" c: inclined to fear: timorous
3: very great or bad--used as an intensive "a ~ waste" "~ slum conditions" -- fear.ful.ly adv -- fear.ful.ness n syn fearful, apprehensive, afraid mean disturbed by fear. fearful implies often a timorous or worrying temperament "the child is fearful of loud noises". apprehensive suggests a state of mind and implies a premonition of evil or danger "apprehensive of being found out". afraid often suggests weakness or cowardice and regularly implies inhibition of action or utterance "afraid to speak the truth".