concern
kuhn-SURN
Concern (noun) means a feeling of worry about something. Example: “Her main concern was that the train would be late again.”
noun
1
A feeling of worry about something.
"Her main concern was that the train would be late again."
"There is growing concern about rising energy prices."
"She expressed concern for her friend's health."
2
A business or company.
"After years of losses, the old family concern was sold to a rival."
"He started a small printing concern with his brother after leaving school."
"The family ran a small manufacturing concern for three generations."
verb
1
To relate to, affect, or be of importance to someone.
"The new parking rules concern all residents of the street."
"This letter does not concern you, so please leave it on the desk."
"This decision concerns everyone in the department."
2
To cause someone to worry.
"It concerns me that the children are walking home alone in the dark."
"The strange noise from the engine concerned the driver, so he pulled over."
"His silence concerned her more than anything he could have said."
How to use concern
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishMost often used for worry about something, or to describe something being relevant to someone; also, less commonly, a business.
Common pairings
a growing concern
as far as X is concerned
a business concern
raise a concern
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Word forms
- Plural
- concerns
- Third person singular
- concerns
- Past tense
- concerned
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Her main _____ was that the train would be late again.
Etymology
From Middle French concerner, ultimately from Latin concernō, "to mix or sift together" — later coming to mean "to have relevance to."
Synonyms
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Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “concern” mean?
The word “concern” means a feeling of worry about something. In plain terms, most often used for worry about something, or to describe something being relevant to someone; also, less commonly, a business.
How do you pronounce “concern”?
“Concern” is pronounced kuhn-SURN (/kənˈsɝn/ in IPA).
How do you use “concern” in a sentence?
Here is “concern” used in a sentence: “There is growing concern about rising energy prices.”
What part of speech is “concern”?
Depending on how it is used, “concern” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “concern” come from?
The word “concern” comes from Latin. From Middle French concerner, ultimately from Latin concernō, "to mix or sift together" — later coming to mean "to have relevance to.".
Is “concern” a common word?
“Concern” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “concern” have?
“Concern” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a feeling of worry about something.
What is the difference between concern and worry?
The two are close, but concern is usually milder and more considered than worry. Concern is a thoughtful care or unease about something, often on another person's behalf. Worry tends to be more anxious, personal, and preoccupying. You can raise a concern calmly, whereas worry suggests a more troubled state of mind.
Does concern only mean worry?
No. As a noun, concern has other senses. It can mean something that matters to you or is your responsibility — "that's not your concern." It can also mean a business or company, as in "a family concern." Context shows whether it means worry, a responsibility, or an enterprise.
What is the difference between concern and interest?
Both involve giving something attention, but the feeling differs. Concern carries worry or care, suggesting that something may be wrong. Interest is neutral curiosity or engagement, with no unease attached. You might take an interest in a topic for pleasure, but express concern when you sense a genuine problem.
What is an example of concern?
Worrying about a friend who has been unwell is concern. So is a parent's unease about a child's safety, or a customer raising concerns about a product's cost. In each case, concern is a feeling of worry or care directed at something that matters to the person.
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