Cool MateFears vs Panic
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Fears
Top 1,000 (very common)
Panic
Top 2,000 (common)B2noun
Most common: Fears
| Fears | Panic | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //fɪəz//🇺🇸 //fɪrz// | 🇬🇧 //ˈpænɪk//🇺🇸 //ˈpænɪk// |
| Meaning | Scared feelings about something. | A sudden feeling of fear or anxiety. |
| Example | Her greatest fears include heights and spiders. | When the fire alarm went off, there was panic in the crowd. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | - | B2 |
| Part of speech | noun | |
| Collocations | face fears, overcome fears, fear of heights, common fears, deep-seated fears | feel panic, sense panic, cause panic, in a panic, overcome with panic |
| Antonyms | courage, bravery, confidence | calm, composure, peace |
| Common mistakes | Confusing 'fear' as a noun with 'fear' as a verb., Using 'fears' in the singular form when referring to multiple anxieties. | Confused with 'anxiety'—panic is more sudden and intense., Using 'panics' incorrectly as a verb form., Overusing in casual conversations when fear isn't intense. |
| Usage notes | Use 'fears' when talking about general anxieties or specific phobias. It's appropriate in both casual and formal contexts. | Use 'panic' to describe intense, sudden fear. It's appropriate in both formal and informal contexts, but avoid using it lightly in serious situations. |
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Frequently asked questions: Fears vs Panic
What's the difference between Fears and Panic?
Fears: Scared feelings about something. Panic: A sudden feeling of fear or anxiety.
Which is more common: Fears and Panic?
Fears is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Fears: Her greatest fears include heights and spiders. Panic: When the fire alarm went off, there was panic in the crowd.
Can I use Fears and Panic interchangeably?
Not always. Fears and Panic 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.