Word
worrying
Phoneticswor·ry·ing, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈwɝiɪŋ/
UK/wˈʌɹɪɪŋ/
Definitions
01causing anxiety
B1 · Intermediate
adj. making you feel anxious or concerned about a problem.
adj. causing anxiety, concern, or distress; inducing a state of worry in the observer.
“The doctor said the test results were a bit worrying, so I need more tests.”
“The recent decline in global biodiversity is a deeply worrying trend that requires immediate international cooperation.”
Pitfall
I am very worrying about the exam.
I am very worried about the exam.
Use 'worrying' for the thing that causes the feeling, and 'worried' for the person who has the feeling.
Synonyms
Antonyms
02harassment or pestering
C2 · Proficiency Uncountable noun Literary · Formal
n. the act of bothering or upsetting someone repeatedly.
n. the act of harassing, pestering, or repeatedly bothering a person or animal.
“The constant worrying of the sheep by the neighbor's dog became a serious problem.”
“The legal definition of harassment includes the persistent worrying of an individual through unwanted communication and physical following.”
Usage
Often used in legal or agricultural contexts, such as 'sheep worrying' by dogs.
Synonyms
Etymology
From worry + -ing.
From Middle English werying, equivalent to worry + -ing.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
ADJECTIVE
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B1 PreliminaryIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.4.0–5.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 3.0–3.544–71TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.550–784
- Frequency
- Common
- Level
- B1 · Intermediate
- Updated
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