anxiety
ang-ZEYE-ih-tee
Anxiety (noun) means a persistent feeling of unease, nervousness, or worry, often about something uncertain that hasn't happened yet. Example: “She felt a wave of anxiety before walking into the interview.”
noun
1
A persistent feeling of unease, nervousness, or worry, often about something uncertain that hasn't happened yet.
"She felt a wave of anxiety before walking into the interview."
"Money troubles were the main source of his anxiety."
"He waited for the test results with growing anxiety."
2
(medical) A diagnosable disorder marked by chronic, excessive worry that interferes with daily life.
"His doctor diagnosed him with generalized anxiety and referred him to a therapist."
"She has lived with anxiety for years and takes regular treatment."
"Anxiety can make ordinary tasks like shopping feel overwhelming."
How to use anxiety
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThat uneasy, on-edge feeling of worry about something that might go wrong.
Common mistake
Everyday anxiety (nerves before a test) is different from clinical anxiety disorders — don't use the medical term casually when you just mean "nervous."
Common pairings
social anxiety
anxiety about
a wave of anxiety
anxiety disorder
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Word forms
- Plural
- anxieties
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She felt a wave of _____ before walking into the interview.
Etymology
From Latin anxietas, from anxius ("troubled, distressed"), ultimately from a root meaning "to choke" — the same root behind "anguish" and "anger."
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for anxiety
See all rhymes for anxiety →Frequently asked questions
What does “anxiety” mean?
The word “anxiety” means a persistent feeling of unease, nervousness, or worry, often about something uncertain that hasn't happened yet. In plain terms, that uneasy, on-edge feeling of worry about something that might go wrong.
How do you pronounce “anxiety”?
“Anxiety” is pronounced ang-ZEYE-ih-tee (/ˌæŋ(ɡ)ˈzaɪ̯ɪti/ in IPA).
How do you use “anxiety” in a sentence?
Here is “anxiety” used in a sentence: “She felt a wave of anxiety before walking into the interview.”
What is another word for “anxiety”?
Words with a similar meaning to “anxiety” include care, solicitude, foreboding, uneasiness, perplexity and disquietude.
What part of speech is “anxiety”?
“Anxiety” is a noun.
Where does the word “anxiety” come from?
The word “anxiety” comes from Latin. From Latin anxietas, from anxius ("troubled, distressed"), ultimately from a root meaning "to choke" — the same root behind "anguish" and "anger.".
Is “anxiety” a common word?
“Anxiety” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “anxiety” have?
“Anxiety” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a persistent feeling of unease, nervousness, or worry, often about something uncertain that hasn't happened yet.
What is the difference between anxiety and stress?
Stress is usually a response to a specific, present pressure, like a deadline or an argument, and it tends to ease once the situation passes. Anxiety often lingers even without a clear cause, and it centers on worry about what might happen. Put simply, stress reacts to now; anxiety anticipates later.
What is the difference between anxiety and fear?
Fear is a reaction to a real, immediate threat that is right in front of you. Anxiety is more about anticipation, an unease over something uncertain that may or may not happen. Fear says 'there is danger now'; anxiety says 'something might go wrong.' The two feel similar but point in different directions.
Can anxiety be treated?
Yes. Anxiety is very common and highly manageable. Talking therapies such as counselling, lifestyle changes like regular exercise and better sleep, and in some cases medication can all help. Many people learn to reduce and control it effectively. If anxiety disrupts daily life, it is worth speaking to a health professional.
What are the different types of anxiety?
Anxiety comes in several recognized forms. Generalized anxiety involves broad, ongoing worry about many things. Social anxiety centers on fear of judgment in social settings. Panic disorder brings sudden, intense episodes, and specific phobias focus on particular triggers. They share the same root feeling of unease but differ in focus and pattern.
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