anxiety
n.-
1 worry or nervousness (n.) B1 Intermediatea feeling of being worried or nervous about something in the future.
a state of mental uneasiness, nervousness, or apprehension concerning an uncertain event or outcome.
ExampleI always feel a bit of anxiety before I have to speak in front of a large group.
ExampleThe sudden change in the company's leadership created a climate of deep anxiety among the long-term employees regarding their job security.
UsageOften used with the preposition 'about' or 'over'.
PitfallHe has an anxiety about the exam.He feels anxiety about the exam.When talking about the general feeling, 'anxiety' is usually uncountable and does not need 'an'.
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2 medical condition (n.) B2 Upper Intermediate Medicinea medical condition where you feel very worried or scared most of the time.
a psychological disorder characterised by excessive, persistent, and often irrational worry about everyday situations.
ExampleShe started seeing a therapist to help her manage her social anxiety.
ExampleClinical anxiety often manifests through physical symptoms such as a rapid heartbeat, shallow breathing, and persistent insomnia.
UsageCan be used as a countable noun when referring to specific clinical diagnoses.
- anxiety disorder
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3 strong desire (n.) C1 Advanced Formala strong and nervous wish to do something or to please someone.
an eager or distressing desire to achieve something or to satisfy a requirement.
ExampleIn his anxiety to finish the project on time, he made several small mistakes.
ExampleThe candidate's obvious anxiety to impress the board occasionally resulted in overly rehearsed and unnatural responses during the interview.
UsageUsually followed by an infinitive verb (e.g., 'anxiety to please').
- eagerness
- keenness
Borrowed from Latin anxietās, from anxius (“anxious, solicitous, distressed, troubled”), from angō (“to distress, trouble”), akin to Ancient Greek ἄγχω (ánkhō, “to choke”). Equivalent to anxious + -ety. See anger; angst.