afraid not
Sorry, but no
Afraid not is a polite way of saying no, softening the refusal with a note of regret: Can you make it to the party? —Afraid not.
The phrase implies the speaker wishes circumstances were different.
It often stands alone as a complete response, equivalent to "I'm afraid not" with the subject dropped.
- sorryExpressing regret or apology
- unfortunatelyExpressing bad luck
- regretSorrow over past actions
- noOpposite of yes
- no can doSlangy phrase of refusal
sorry to say · decline · disappoint · refuse · hard pass · alas · sadly · negative · rejection · apologize · can't · impossible · no dice · unavailable · no such luck · doubtful · deny · reluctant
afraid notyes
Opposite of no
absolutely · certainly · of course · indeed · definitely
afraid notabsolutely
Completely, without exception
definitely · you bet · of course · gladly · with pleasure
afraid, not, fearfulness, fright, frighten, frightened, frightening, frightful, frightfully