What does fearing mean?
'Fearing' is the present participle and gerund of the verb 'fear', describing the ongoing experience of dread, anxiety, or apprehension about something perceived as threatening or unpleasant. It most often introduces a clause giving a motive: 'Fearing the worst, she called the hospital.' In this use it carries a slightly formal, literary tone, common in journalism and narrative writing. A second, older sense conveys reverential awe, especially in religious contexts such as 'fearing God'. The word traces back through Middle English to the Old English verb 'fǣran'; remarkably, this ancestor meant to frighten or drive away someone else, so the modern sense of feeling afraid oneself developed over time. Related forms include 'fearful', 'fearsome', and 'fearless'. Because fear is a universal human experience, 'fearing' remains one of the most versatile and frequently encountered words in English prose.
Present participle and gerund of 'fear': to be afraid of, or feel anxious or apprehensive about, something actual or anticipated.
"They stayed indoors, fearing the spread of the fire."
Commonly used in participial clauses beginning sentences to express motive.
The act or state of feeling fear; an instance of dread or apprehension.
"His constant fearing made even small setbacks feel catastrophic."
As a countable noun this usage is rare and somewhat literary; 'fear' itself is normally preferred.
Old English speakers had it backwards from us: 'fear' originally meant to frighten someone ELSE — you didn't feel fear, you caused it.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of fearing
The word derives from the Old English verb 'fǣran', meaning to frighten or drive away, itself formed from the noun 'fǣr', meaning sudden danger or calamity. This noun is related to the adjective 'fǣre', meaning dangerous, and shares a Germanic root with words such as Old High German 'fāra'. In Middle English the sense shifted so that the verb came to mean feeling fear oneself rather than frightening another. Cognate forms appear across the Germanic languages, though the exact details of the earliest attestations are not precisely recorded.
Related word forms
How fearing is actually used
'Fearing' often appears in participial clauses introducing a reason ('fearing that...', 'fearing the worst'), which lends a slightly formal or literary tone. The religious sense of reverential fear is now largely confined to set phrases and older texts.
Easily confused with fearing
'Phishing' refers to online fraud designed to steal personal data, while 'fearing' is simply the act of feeling afraid — they share only a similar sound.