trepidation

UK: /ˌtrɛpɪˈdeɪʃ^ən/ US: /ˌtrɛpɪˈdeɪʃən/ ,(trep′i dā′shən)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

trep•i•da•tion /ˌtrɛpɪˈdeɪʃən/   n. [uncountable]

1. fear, alarm, or worry:
   approaching marriage with trepidation.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

trep•i•da•tion  (trep′i dā′shən), n. 

1. tremulous fear, alarm, or agitation;
   perturbation.
2. trembling or quivering movement;
   tremor.

• Latin trepidātiōn- (stem of trepidātiō), equivalent. to trepidāt(us) (past participle of trepidāre to hurry, alarm; see trepid, -ate¹) + -iōn- -ion
• 1595–1605

Synonyms

• 1. trembling, fright.
• 2. quivering, shaking.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

trepidation / ˌtrɛpɪˈdeɪʃən/ noun

1. a state of fear or anxiety
2. a condition of quaking or palpitation, esp one caused by anxiety

Etymology: 17th Century: from Latin trepidātiō, from trepidāre to be in a state of alarm; compare intrepid