Afeared 
In Appalachian speech, "afeared" means afraid, scared, or fearful. It’s an older English form that survived in the mountains long after it faded elsewhere.
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I'm pretty sure I've only heard 'afeared' on 'Beverly Hillbillies' - but I could image some old timers may still say it. I've just never heard it. I'm pretty sure I've only heard 'afeared' on 'Beverly Hillbillies' - but I could image some old timers may still say it. I've just never heard it. Pronunciation
Meaning & Usage
- Afraid, Scared (adjective)
You afeared of them coyotes yappin’?Naw, I’m just afeared they’ll spook the chickens.He was afeared to go near the old mine shaft.Reckon I would be too.Origin and Etymology
From Middle English "afred" or "afeard," used in the 14th-16th centuries. Shakespeare himself used "afeard" in his plays. While most of English shifted to "afraid," Appalachia held on to the older form through oral tradition.
Usage Notes
"Afeared" is still heard in rural areas of the South and Appalachia, especially among older generations. It can show up in literature, ballads, and storytelling to give a sense of authenticity or old-time flavor.
Say It Like a Southerner
Say it quick and plain: "uh-FEERD." Drop the extra syllable in "afraid" and you’ve got the mountain version - the same way folks in Shakespeare’s England might have said it.