worry
WUH-ree
Worry (verb) means to feel anxious or uneasy about something. Example: “I worry whenever my sister drives home late at night in the rain.”
verb
1
To feel anxious or uneasy about something.
"I worry whenever my sister drives home late at night in the rain."
"Don't worry — the flight isn't until tomorrow."
"She worried about the exam for weeks beforehand."
2
To cause someone anxiety or distress.
"Her constant coughing worries the doctor more than she is willing to admit."
"Does it worry you that the shop is always empty?"
"It worries me that he still hasn't called back."
3
(of a dog) To bite and shake something repeatedly.
"Our puppy loves to worry a knotted rope until he falls asleep."
"The spaniel worried the toy in the garden, growling happily as it shook."
"The terrier worried the old slipper until it tore apart."
noun
1
A feeling of anxiety, or something that causes it.
"Her main worry before the trip was whether the neighbours would feed the cat."
"Money is his biggest worry right now."
"It's just a small worry, nothing serious."
How to use worry
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo feel or cause anxious unease about something.
Common mistake
"Worry" as a verb usually takes "about": worry about something, not worry for something (except in the fixed phrase "not to worry").
Easily confused with
Common pairings
worry about
don't worry
a nagging worry
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Word forms
- Plural
- worries
- Third person singular
- worries
- Past tense
- worried
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
I _____ whenever my sister drives home late at night in the rain.
Etymology
From Old English wyrgan, meaning "to strangle" — the sense softened over centuries from physical choking to mental "strangling" anxiety.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for worry
See all rhymes for worry →Frequently asked questions
What does “worry” mean?
The word “worry” means to feel anxious or uneasy about something. In plain terms, to feel or cause anxious unease about something.
How do you pronounce “worry”?
“Worry” is pronounced WUH-ree (/ˈwʌ.ɹi/ in IPA).
How do you use “worry” in a sentence?
Here is “worry” used in a sentence: “Don't worry — the flight isn't until tomorrow.”
What part of speech is “worry”?
Depending on how it is used, “worry” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “worry” come from?
The word “worry” comes from Old English. From Old English wyrgan, meaning "to strangle" — the sense softened over centuries from physical choking to mental "strangling" anxiety.
Is “worry” a common word?
“Worry” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “worry” have?
“Worry” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to feel anxious or uneasy about something.
What is the difference between worry and anxiety?
Worry is the mental habit of dwelling on specific possible problems, usually put into words in your head. Anxiety is a broader state of unease that involves the body too — a racing heart, tension, dread — and often has no single, clear cause. Worry is one common trigger of anxiety, but anxiety runs deeper and wider.
What is the difference between worry and stress?
Stress is your reaction to real pressure or demands — a deadline, a heavy workload, a difficult event. Worry is the repetitive anxious thinking about what might go wrong, which can happen even when nothing stressful is currently upon you. Stress usually eases once the pressure passes, while worry can carry on regardless.
Is worrying bad for you?
A little worry is normal and even useful, nudging you to prepare and take care. Constant worry is harmful: it can disturb sleep, raise stress, sap concentration, and wear down your mood and health over time. The problem is not worrying at all, but worrying so much that it stops you living comfortably.
What is the opposite of worry?
The opposite of worrying is feeling calm, relaxed, or at ease. Instead of fretting over what might go wrong, you feel reassured and untroubled. Verbs like relax, rest easy, and stop fretting capture the contrast, as do phrases such as 'putting your mind at rest' or simply not giving something a second thought.
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