furchtsam

German

Etymology

From Middle High German vorhtesam (“fearful; fearsome”). Equivalent to Furcht (“fear”) +‎ -sam (“-some”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈfʊrçtza(ː)m/

Adjective

furchtsam (comparative furchtsamer, superlative am furchtsamsten)

1. (chiefly formal, literary) fearful; timid; frightened

   Synonym: ängstlich

   Antonyms: furchtlos, mutig

2. (obsolete) fearsome; frightening

   Synonyms: beängstigend, furchtbar, fürchterlich

Usage notes

• The word is a false friend of English fearsome in contemporary usage.

Derived terms

• Furchtsamkeit

Further reading

• “furchtsam” in Duden online