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worry

v. · n.
US //ˈwɝi// UK //wˈʌɹi// wor·ry
  1. 1 to feel anxious (v.)
    A2 Elementary

    to think about problems or unpleasant things that might happen in a way that makes you feel unhappy.

    to experience mental distress or anxiety regarding potential or actual problems. Often used intransitively with the preposition 'about'.

    Example

    Don't worry about the rain; we can have the party inside instead.

    Example

    She spent the entire weekend worrying about the upcoming performance review, despite her manager's repeated assurances that her work was excellent.
    Pitfall
    I am worrying for my exams.
    I am worrying about my exams.

    Use the preposition 'about' to indicate the cause of your anxiety.

  2. 2 to make someone anxious (v.)
    B1 Intermediate

    to make someone else feel unhappy or afraid that something bad will happen.

    to cause mental agitation or distress in another person. Transitive — takes a direct object.

    Example

    It worries me that he hasn't called to say he arrived safely.

    Example

    The sudden drop in market confidence worried the investors, leading many to withdraw their capital before the end of the fiscal quarter.
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  1. 3 to pull or bite repeatedly (v.)
    C2 Proficiency Literary

    to pull, bite, or shake something repeatedly with the teeth.

    to seize, shake, or pull at something repeatedly with the teeth, typically of a dog or predator.

    Example

    The puppy started to worry the old slipper until it finally tore.

    Example

    The terrier continued to worry the rag doll, shaking it violently from side to side as if it were live prey.

    Usage

    Often used in the context of hunting or a dog playing with a toy.
  2. 4 the feeling of anxiety (n.)
    B1 Intermediate

    the uncomfortable feeling you have when you are thinking about problems.

    a state of mental distress or anxiety caused by concern over problems.

    Example

    The constant worry about money was starting to affect his health.

    Example

    Years of financial worry had etched deep lines into his face, giving him an appearance far older than his actual age.
  3. 5 a specific problem (n.)
    B1 Intermediate

    a specific problem or situation that makes you feel anxious.

    a specific cause or instance of anxiety. Countable in this sense.

    Example

    Health insurance is just one more worry for people who lose their jobs.

    Example

    The director had many worries on her mind, ranging from the technical failure of the equipment to the lead actor's sudden illness.
Origin

From Middle English worien, werien, wirien, wirwen, wyryȝen (“to choke, strangle”), from Old English wyrġan, from Proto-Germanic wurgijaną, from Proto-Indo-European werǵʰ- (“bind, squeeze”). Cognate with Dutch worgen, wurgen, German würgen. Compare Latin urgere (“to press, push”), Sanskrit वृहति (vṛhati, “to tear out, pluck”), Lithuanian ver̃žti (“to string; squeeze”), Russian (poetic) отверза́ть (otverzátʹ, “to open”, literally “to untie”). Related to wring.

Word family
Idioms3 entries

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