Meaning of worry in English

Table of contents

Verb
worry
Etymology
Old English wyrgan ‘strangle’, of West Germanic origin. In Middle English the original sense of the verb gave rise to the meaning ‘seize by the throat and tear’, later figuratively ‘harass’, whence ‘cause anxiety to’ (early 19th century, the date also of the noun)
Definitions
1. be worried, concerned, anxious, troubled, or uneasy
Examples
- « I worry about my job »
Derived terms
2. be concerned with
Examples
- « I worry about my grades »
Derived terms
3. disturb the peace of mind of
Examples
- « afflict with mental agitation or distress »
- « I cannot sleep--my daughter's health is worrying me »
Antonyms
- reassure
- assure
Derived terms
4. be on the mind of
Examples
- « I worry about the second Germanic consonant »
Derived terms
5. lacerate by biting
Examples
- « the dog worried his bone »
6. touch or rub constantly
Examples
- « The old man worried his beads »
Noun
worry
Definitions
1. something or someone that causes anxiety
Examples
- « a source of unhappiness »
- « New York traffic is a constant concern »
- « it's a major worry »
Derived terms
2. a strong feeling of anxiety
Examples
- « his worry over the prospect of being fired »
- « it is not work but worry that kills »
- « he wanted to die and end his troubles »
Derived terms

Famous quotes

« My movies just kind of sneak up on you. I don't have to worry too much about what everybody is going to say. Anyway, I really don't pay attention to what the world says about my movies. I just care about what my buddies think. »
Adam Sandler
« Aging gracefully is supposed to mean trying not to hide time passing and just looking a wreck. Don't worry girls, look like a wreck, that's the way it goes. »
Jeanne Moreau
« There seems to be no lengths to which humorless people will not go to analyze humor. It seems to worry them. »
Robert Benchley
« I think the success of democracy is not really police security it's the presence of a broad middle class. The stronger the middle class of a people is, the less you have to worry about one group coming in and exploiting the democratic process for its own ends. »
King Abdullah II
« You're entitled to Medicaid regardless of your income. Don't worry about your health care. »
Max Baucus