Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English - afraid

~ adj S1 W2 1 I'm ~ spoken used to politely tell someone something that may annoy them, upset them or disappoint them  (That's the most we can offer you, I'm afraid.) + (that)  (I'm afraid you've been given the wrong address. | Excuse me, but I'm afraid this is a non-smoking area.) be ~  (I could see in his eyes that he was afraid.) + of  (Don't be afraid of the dog - he's quite harmless.) ~ to do sth  (Don't be afraid to ask for help.) be ~ of doing sth  (Luke is afraid of going to bed in the dark.) I'm ~ so (=yes)  ( "Is she really very ill?" "I'm afraid so.") I'm ~ not (=no)  (No, I'm afraid not, but we do have some tickets for tomorrow.) 2 unwilling to do something because you are worried about what will happen if you do it + of  (I didn't tell her because I was afraid of upsetting her.) + (that)  (I didn't say anything because I was afraid the other kids would laugh at me.) 3 very frightened or worried about something  (The poor little thing looked so afraid.) be ~ for  (They've been laying people off, and Charlie is afraid for his job.) 4 ~ of your own shadow easily frightened or always nervous