Crossword Genius

Scared of loud scolding (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

fearful

'scared' is the definition.
(I know that scared can be written as fearful)

'loud scolding' is the wordplay.
'loud' becomes 'f' (short for forte - 'loud' in music).
'scolding' becomes 'earful' (I've seen this in another clue).
'f'+'earful'='FEARFUL'

'of' acts as a link.

(Other definitions for fearful that I've seen before include "Timid" , "awful!" , "Timorous; terrible" , "Afraid; very great" , "wary" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app