Cool MateFear vs Terror
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Fear
Top 1,000 (very common)A2noun
Terror
FormalTop 2,000 (common)B2noun
Most formal: TerrorMost common: Fear
| Fear | Terror | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/fɪə(r)/"]/🇺🇸 /["/fɪr/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈterə(r)/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈterər/"]/ |
| Meaning | A strong feeling of being afraid or scared. | Great fear or panic. |
| Example | Her fear of heights kept her from climbing the mountain. | The city was gripped by terror after the unexpected attack. |
| Register | Neutral | Formal |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | A2 | B2 |
| Part of speech | noun | noun |
| Collocations | big, deep, deep-seated, experience, feel, have, abate, subside, grow, for fear of, in fear, in fear of, fear and loathing, fear and trembling, fear and trepidation | abject, absolute, pure, be filled with, feel, have, from terror, in terror, out of terror, a state of terror, strike terror into (the heart of) somebody, political, state, global, resort to, use, combat, campaign, war, plot, an act of terror, a campaign of terror, a reign of terror |
| Antonyms | courage, confidence, bravery | calm, peace, tranquility |
| Common mistakes | 'Fear' is often confused with 'scared', but 'fear' is a noun and 'scared' is an adjective., 'Fear' is sometimes incorrectly used with 'of' when it should be 'fear for' someone's safety. | Confused with 'terrorize' (verb form)., Using in casual contexts where 'fear' would be better., Mispronouncing, especially the first syllable. |
| Usage notes | Use 'fear' to describe emotions or phobias. It can be formal or informal. Avoid in casual, light-hearted conversations. | Often used in serious contexts, such as discussing violence or fear. Less appropriate in light-hearted conversations. |
Frequently asked questions: Fear vs Terror
What's the difference between Fear and Terror?
Fear: A strong feeling of being afraid or scared. Terror: Great fear or panic.
Which is more formal: Fear and Terror?
Terror is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: Fear and Terror?
Fear is the most common in everyday English.
Which is more advanced: Fear and Terror?
Terror is the highest level, at B2, on the CEFR scale.
Are Fear and Terror the same CEFR level?
Fear: A2, Terror: B2 on the CEFR scale.
What part of speech are Fear and Terror?
Fear: noun, Terror: noun.
Can you show an example of each?
Fear: Her fear of heights kept her from climbing the mountain. Terror: The city was gripped by terror after the unexpected attack.
Can I use Fear and Terror interchangeably?
Not always. Fear and Terror are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.