English vocabulary · C1
Allay
/əˈleɪ/ · v.
To allay a fear is to make it feel less strong. You feel less afraid because someone has helped you see that things can be safe.
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Example sentences
- Her kind words allay my fears.
- The facts allay his doubts.
Word origin and roots
from Old English
- alecgan — put down (from Old English)
Synonyms and nuances
- EASE — make less painful (Less Strong)
- CALM — make less worried (Less Fear)
- SOOTHE — help someone feel better (Gentle Help)
Similar words
- ease
- calm
- soothe
- relieve
- reduce
Lesson notes
To allay a fear is to make it feel less strong. You feel less afraid because someone has helped you see that things can be safe.
Related: ease, calm, soothe. Use allay when fears start to feel weaker.
Her kind words allay my fears. The facts allay his doubts.
From Old English. Ah-lej-an- means put down. Put down a fear: kind words allay it.