# fretting

/ˈfɹɛtɪŋ/ (US) · /fɹˈɛtɪŋ/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/fretting
Updated: 2026-05-25

## Definition

to worry or be very upset about something that might happen. You use this when you are thinking too much about a problem and it makes you feel stressed.

For teachers: to worry or be troubled by something; to be in a state of anxious or troubled thought. Often implies a persistent, obsessive concern over a potential negative outcome.

## Examples

- I am fretting about my exam results all day.
- She spent the entire weekend fretting over whether she had made the right decision to move to a new city.
- While some people thrive under pressure, others find themselves paralyzed by constant fretting, which can lead to a cycle of stress that prevents them from taking any decisive action at all.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.