worry Definition
worry (wʉr′ē)
transitive verb -·ried, -·ry·ing
- to harass or treat roughly with or as with continual biting or tearing with the teeth a dog worrying a bone
- to pluck at, push on, touch, etc. repeatedly in a nervous or determined way worrying the loose tooth with his tongue
- to annoy, bother, harass, vex, etc.
- to cause to feel troubled or uneasy; make anxious; distress
Etymology: ME wirwen < OE wyrgan, to strangle, injure, akin to Ger würgen, to strangle < IE *werĝh-, to twist, choke < base *wer-, to twist > worm
intransitive verb
- to bite, pull, or tear (at an object) with or as with the teeth
- to feel distressed in the mind; be anxious, troubled, or uneasy
- to manage to get (along or through) in the face of trials and difficulties
noun pl. -·ries
- the act of worrying
- a troubled state of mind; anxiety; distress; care; uneasiness
- something that causes anxiety
worry Related Forms
wor′·rier noun
worry Idioms
not to worry!
Informal you do not need to worry!
worry Synonyms
worry
n.
A state of anxiety
anxiety, uneasiness, apprehension, concern; see anxiety, care 2, distress 1.A cause of worry
problem, upset, disturbance; fearfear 2, troubletrouble 2. See syn. study at care.care.
worry Synonyms
worry
v.
worry Usage Examples
Preposition: about
- consequence: Can help people who are worried about the financial consequences of their binging.
- repercussion: If the decision is forced, I worry about the repercussions for the team as an entity long-term.
- implication: Their response was generally positive, but some education officials worried about the budget implications of inclusive education.
- warming: Some environment and energy experts doubt that the method is compatible with a world worried about global warming.
- tomorrow: I'll worry about tomorrow when we get there.
Object
bit: However I was a bit worried at your lack of your grasp of the American language.
Converse of object
- allay: It is important to allay the worries of many parents that separation itself can have a damaging and permanent effect on their children.
- express: But it usually expresses worries about the future, understanding of possible future difficulties and vicissitudes of life, farewell wishes, advice.
- eliminate: That's why the Neoware e90 can help eliminate worry about the future.
Adjective modifier
- don't: As he does, Susan shouts after him ] Susan: Don't worry about your car, Alan.
- don't: However donât worry if you forget your password â you can always e-mail us to retrieve it.
- financial: We are all under enormous amounts of pressure ranging from financial worries to academic problems.
- big: My big worry is that the above emphasizes our differences, not our commonality.
Modifies a noun
- ross: Result in unnecessary determined in a. Why do it that you have your drivers and worries ross henry.
- henry: Result in unnecessary determined in a. Why do it that you have your drivers and worries ross henry.
Noun used with modifier
- dont: But if the genders not yet known, dont worry.
- wouldnt: Anyone concerned by the law, i wouldnt worry.
- injury: There are no new injury worries for the Clarets.
Used with why or when

