Word family noun worry worrier adjective worried ≠ unworried worrying worrisome verb worry adverb worryingly worriedly
From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishworrywor‧ry1 /ˈwʌri $ ˈwɜːri/ ●●● S1 W2 verb (worried, worrying, worries) 1 be anxious [intransitive]WORRIED to be anxious or unhappy about someone or something, so that you think about them a lotworry about I worry about my daughter. You’ve really got no need to worry about your weight.worry (that) She worried that she wasn’t doing enough to help.worry over Dad worries over the slightest thing. Don’t tell Mum about this – she’s got enough to worry about (=she already has a lot of problems or is very busy).GRAMMAR: Prepositions with worry• You worry about someone or something: Don’t worry about me.They worry about the cost.• If you worry over something, you spend a lot of time worrying about it: She worries over how to help him. ✗Don’t say: worry for something 2 → don’t worry3 make somebody anxious [transitive]WORRIED to make someone feel anxious about something The recent changes in the Earth’s climate are beginning to worry scientists. I didn’t tell Mum and Dad – I didn’t want to worry them.what worries me is .../the (only) thing that worries me is ... The only thing that worries me is the food. I don’t want to get food poisoning.it worries somebody that/how/when Doesn’t it worry you that Sarah spends so much time away from home?worry yourself (=feel anxious, especially when there is no need to) You’re worrying yourself unnecessarily.4 → not to worry5 → nothing to worry about6 annoy [transitive]ANNOY to annoy someone SYN bother The heat didn’t seem to worry him.7 animal [transitive]TADHP if a dog worries sheep, it tries to bite or kill them → worry at something→ See Verb tableExamples from the Corpus
worry• There was nothing to worry about: if there had been, the fuzz would have come in with a warrant.• I was really worried about it at the time.• No, the Polk County chairman for Forbes is worried about something entirely nonpolitical: the weather.• Legislative opponents worried about the possibility of more initiative campaigns, however, and the September plan was dropped.• In reality, Arum has little to worry about.• On the contrary it would merely increase their anxiety level, even if there was nothing to worry about.• I don't know what you're worrying about.• Theo was asked not to worry, and not to tell anyone unless forced.• He began to worry he might lose his job.• Mom, stop worrying. I'll be fine.• What worries me is the difference in age between Rosie and her boyfriend.• One thing that worried me was that information had been leaked to the press.• The rise in housing costs worries most young families.• Use this to your advantage by scanning the papers for any major police search, then target the worried relatives.• The changes in the Earth's climate began to worry some scientists.• Mr Davenport now worries that re-engineering is passing from a fad to a cliché.• I was worried that Shannon was too small, but the doctor says she's fine.• Don't worry, there's plenty of time.• My husband worries when I'm late home from work.• Doesn't it worry you that Stephen spends so much time away from home?• "Why didn't you tell me?" "I didn't want to worry you."worry about• State Trooper McNamara reassures her that she has nothing to worry about because there are police there already.• Don't worry about filing those invoices right now.• He stopped worrying about him anyway.• He was predestined for the London office, I later learned, and not terribly worried about his career.• There are plenty of real dangers to worry about instead.• They can come in for a meal or a show and not have to worry about last trains, or driving back.• She was 20 and worried about missing a year of skating.• Doctors still have a few worries about the effectiveness of the treatment.• Fran worries too much about the way she looks.• Though the girls loved the game, after a while he started worrying about what other people might think.• More than anything else I think I was worried about what other people would say if I failed.worry yourself• And that was a joke, because I was half-dead with worry myself.• I don't think we need to worry ourselves about people being offended.• I ought to be in bed, he thought, not worrying myself about such things.• Maybe it was only that he had worried himself out.• All the time Maureen was away she was worrying herself sick about Biggles.• Denver had worried herself sick trying to think of a way to get Beloved to share her room.• You shouldn't worry yourself so much - everything will be fine.• Nutty lay awake in the small hours, worrying herself stupid.• As soon as they see their names on the leaderboard they worry themselves to death until their name's gone off the board.worryworry2 ●●● S2 noun (plural worries) 1 [countable]WORRIED a problem that you are anxious about or are not sure how to deal withsomebody’s main/biggest/real etc worry My main worry is finding somewhere to live. I had a lot of financial worries.be a worry to/for somebody Money was always a big worry for us.RegisterIn written English, people often prefer to use concern rather than worry, because it sounds more formal:One of voters’ key concerns is crime.2 [countable, uncountable]WORRIED the feeling of being anxious about somethingbe frantic/sick/desperate etc with worry (=feel extremely anxious) His mother was desperate with worry. He’s been a constant source of worry.worry about We had no worries about safety.3 → no worriesCOLLOCATIONSadjectivessomebody’s main/biggest worryMy biggest worry is that I might make a fool of myself.a major/big/great worryTraffic congestion is not yet a major worry in the area.a real worryIt's a real worry that he is so far away.somebody's only worryMy only worry was that she wouldn't like it.a constant worryFor shopkeepers here, break-ins are a constant worry.a nagging worry (=one that you keep worrying about)She had a little nagging worry in the back of her mind about how Mickey would react.financial/money worriesBach’s last years were clouded by financial worries.a worry is unfounded (=there is no reason to worry)Fortunately their worries were unfounded and the astronauts returned safely to Earth.phrasesa source/cause of worryHer children were a constant source of worry.be sick/frantic with worryThe girl's mother was sick with worry over her missing daughter. THESAURUSsomething that makes you worriedworry a problem that you are anxious about or are not sure how to deal withYou should discuss your worries with your parents.Worries about the company’s performance sent its share prices falling.concern a situation that makes you feel worried, especially a problem that affects a lot of people, but that may not affect you personallyOne concern is the effects of these chemicals on the environment. Our main concern is that the boys are well looked after while their parents are away. troubles problems in your life that you are worried aboutI don't want to bore you with my troubles.She has enough troubles of her own at the moment.I hope all our troubles will be over soon.cares written problems or responsibilities in your life that make you worryShe was not ready for the cares and responsibilities of running a family.A holiday would give them chance to forget about all their cares.hang-up informal a feeling of worry or embarrassment about something personal, such as your appearance or relationships with other peopleShe has a hang-up about her nose.We all have our hang-ups.the feeling of being worriedworry the feeling of not being happy or relaxed and thinking a lot about a problem or something that is wrongShe was sick with worry over her daughter.the look of worry on his faceanxiety the feeling of being worried because you think that something bad has happened or will happen, and you feel that you have no control over the situationThe thought of having to give a speech filled me with anxiety.The increase in heating costs is causing a lot of anxiety among elderly people.concern a worried feeling – use this especially when many people are worried about a problem that affects everyoneThe shortage of water is beginning to cause widespread concern.stress the feeling of being worried all the time, for example about work or personal problems, which can make you ill or very tiredHer financial problems were causing her a lot of stress.anguish a feeling of extreme mental suffering caused by worryHow could her parents survive the anguish of not knowing what had happened to her?When she spoke, her voice was full of anguish. angst a strong feeling of worry and anxiety because you are worried about your life, your future, or what you should do in a particular situationThe letter was full of teenage angst - would she ever be able to find another boyfriend?There was much angst about the decision. Examples from the Corpus
worry• Worries about the tire company's performance sent its shares tumbling.• Roosevelt's chief worry at the time was that an attack on Britain would put the US at a strategic disadvantage.• This constant worry about your debts isn't doing you any good at all.• As he dried his hands carefully, finger by finger, the old familiar worry returned, heavy as a morbid growth.• financial worries• The great worry of most Hormel backers this time around is that Helms will block hearings on his nomination.• His worry is how to handle success.• For she followed through with an act which suggests that she may have had some later worries.• You may recall that earlier in the year I burdened you with my worries.• At the back of her mind was a nagging worry about the Tarlands' relationship with Marco.• The launch was delayed because of worries over protestors.• The meningitis outbreak is a major cause of worry at the moment.• The experiment, which had caused some worry, particularly on the Labour benches, was entirely successful.• The rage and disappointment had disappeared, but the worry in Jim's face was starting to show.• A modest economic upswing may relieve the worries of the corporations.• It's important that children can discuss their worries with their parents.• His remarks reflect a widespread worry that Canada may be going the same way as the US.• The poor mother was sick with worry over her missing daughter.financial worries• In one bound he would be free of all financial worries.• On the mental level we may experience stresses from business problems and financial worries, the pressure of examinations and so on.• Bach's last years were clouded by financial worries caused by declining receipts and heavy expenditure on the Hanover Square concerts.• The jury heard Warwick had financial worries which caused marital pressures.• Many daughters who are caring full-time for a parent or parents at home have financial worries too.• Students today can not so easily neglect financial worries as their predecessors twenty years before.• Speculation about his death centred most persistently on financial worries.• These are difficult days for students ... financial worries and job uncertainty, as well as coping with life alone.be frantic/sick/desperate etc with worry• She was sick with worry about everything.Origin worry1 Old English wyrgan “to strangle” 