trepidation
/ˌtrɛp.ɪˈdeɪ.ʃən/ IELTSAcademic
noun
A feeling of fear or nervousness about something that may happen. It is often a quiet, uneasy feeling before a difficult event.
- She felt trepidation before the interview.
- He entered the room with trepidation.
- There was trepidation in her voice.
Adinary Nuance
Trepidation is stronger and more formal than simple nervousness. It is close to fear, but it usually means anxious worry before something happens, not panic in the moment. Writers choose it when they want a careful, literary, or academic tone.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- Sự e ngại
- Spanish
- Aprensión
- Chinese
- 不安
- Japanese
- 不安
- Korean
- 불안
Etymology
Trepidation comes from Latin trepidare, meaning “to tremble” or “be agitated.” It entered English in the 16th century and kept the idea of nervous fear.
Common phrases
with trepidationfeel trepidationa sense of trepidationtrepidation about
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is trepidation a formal word?
- Yes. It is more formal than nervousness and is common in writing.
- What is the difference between trepidation and fear?
- Fear is broader and stronger. Trepidation usually means worried fear before something happens.
- Can I use trepidation in everyday English?
- Yes, but it sounds a little formal or literary.
- Is trepidation used in IELTS writing?
- Yes. It can help you sound precise in academic or formal writing.