worry1 verbworry2 noun
worrywor‧ry1 /ˈwʌri $ ˈwɜːri/ ●●● S1 W2 verb (past tense and past participle worried, present participle worrying, third person singular worries) 
WORD ORIGINworry1
Origin:
Old English wyrgan ‘to strangle’VERB TABLE
worry
| Simple Form | ||
| Present | I, you, we, they | worry |
| he, she, it | worries | |
| Past | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | worried |
| Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have worried |
| he, she, it | has worried | |
| Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had worried |
| Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will worry |
| Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have worried |
| Continuous Form | ||
| Present | I | am worrying |
| he, she, it | is worrying | |
| you, we, they | are worrying | |
| Past | I, he, she, it | was worrying |
| you, we, they | were worrying | |
| Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have been worrying |
| he, she, it | has been worrying | |
| Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had been worrying |
| Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will be worrying |
| Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have been worrying |
EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- "Why didn't you tell me?" "I didn't want to worry you."
- Doesn't it worry you that Stephen spends so much time away from home?
- Don't worry, there's plenty of time.
- He began to worry he might lose his job.
- I don't know what you're worrying about.
- I was worried that Shannon was too small, but the doctor says she's fine.
- I was really worried about it at the time.
- Mom, stop worrying. I'll be fine.
- My husband worries when I'm late home from work.
- One thing that worried me was that information had been leaked to the press.
- The changes in the Earth's climate began to worry some scientists.
- The rise in housing costs worries most young families.
- What worries me is the difference in age between Rosie and her boyfriend.
- In reality, Arum has little to worry about.
- Legislative opponents worried about the possibility of more initiative campaigns, however, and the September plan was dropped.
- Mr Davenport now worries that re-engineering is passing from a fad to a cliché.
- No, the Polk County chairman for Forbes is worried about something entirely nonpolitical: the weather.
- On the contrary it would merely increase their anxiety level, even if there was nothing to worry about.
- Theo was asked not to worry, and not to tell anyone unless forced.
- There was nothing to worry about: if there had been, the fuzz would have come in with a warrant.
- Use this to your advantage by scanning the papers for any major police search, then target the worried relatives.
Longman Language Activatorto make someone feel less upset, sad, worried, etc
to comfort someone, for example by telling them there is nothing to worry about or putting your arms around them: · He tried to comfort her by telling her that everything would be all right.· Joyce did her best to comfort him, assuring him that it was not his fault.· The two sisters hugged each other, sharing their grief and comforting one another.
to say something to someone or give them something that makes them feel less upset, sad, worried etc: · What can I do to make you feel better?· It might make you feel better to eat something.· Why don't you tell me what's troubling you? It'll make you feel better.
to make someone feel happier when they are disappointed or sad about something: · Thanks for the card. It really cheered me up.· I'm taking Jenny out tonight to cheer her up.· I tried to think of something to say to cheer him up.
written to comfort someone when they feel unhappy or disappointed, especially by saying something that makes them realize the situation is not so bad: · A priest was called in to console victims' families.· I wanted to console her, but I didn't know how.console yourself with something: · Archer consoled himself with the thought that at least he had done his best.
to make someone feel less worried or frightened about a situation, for example by being friendly to them or by telling them there is nothing to worry about: · My mother did her best to reassure me, but I still felt nervous and insecure.reassure somebody about something: · The company tried to reassure shareholders about the safety of their stocks.reassure somebody that: · The doctor did his best to reassure us that Cindy would be all right.· The president reassured voters that there would be no tax increase.· I tried to reassure her that she had made the right decision in turning down the job.
to make someone feel more calm and relaxed when they are upset, anxious, or nervous: · When the baby cried, his mother soothed him by stroking his hot little head.· Maybe a drink would help soothe your nerves.
spoken say this to tell someone to stop feeling disappointed or sad and try to be more cheerful: · Cheer up! It's not that bad.· Cheer up, Phil. You'll find another job.
spoken say this when you want to make someone less worried or nervous, because you do not think there is anything to be worried or nervous about: · Don't worry. The doctor says it's just a bad cold.· Don't worry! The flight's not until 9:30. We have plenty of time.
to feel worried about something · My husband worries when I'm late home from work.· Don't worry, there's plenty of time.· Mom, stop worrying. I'll be fine.worry (that) · He began to worry he might lose his job.· I was worried that Shannon was too small, but the doctor says she's fine.worry about · I was really worried about it at the time.· I don't know what you're worrying about.
to worry a lot about something, especially something that is not very serious: · She worries and frets all the time -- I think it's because she's got no one to talk to about her problems.fret about/over: · I'd sit in meetings, fretting about what was happening at home.· There's no point in fretting over it now.fret that: · Opponents fret that the system might not provide enough help in times of rural economic crisis.
to keep thinking about and worrying about a problem for a long time after it has happened: · There's no point in brooding -- forget about her.· Dad alternately brooded and raged, and Mum wasn't much better.brood about/over/on: · Don't sit at home brooding about how badly you've been treated.· Achilles sits in his tent, brooding over the wrongs done to him.
to be very worried and upset about something: · Where were you last night? I was worried sick.be worried sick about: · She's worried sick about the possibility of losing her job.· I'm worried sick about Sandy. I haven't heard from her for days. worry yourself sick: · Jenny had worried herself sick trying to think of a way to pay back the money.
extremely worried and frightened about a situation and unable to think or behave calmly: · Inspector Grimes was used to dealing with frantic parents.get/grow/become frantic: · The knocking on the door and shouts became frantic.· There is still no news of the missing child and her parents are getting frantic.· The dog's barking grew frantic as I approached.frantic with worry/fear: · Her eyes were frantic with fear, and she couldn't keep still.
to be very worried about a problem, especially something that has been happening for a long time that you feel you cannot deal with any longer: · I don't know what I can do to keep our marriage together -- I'm at my wits' end!· It was two days before the baby was due, and Robert was at his wits' end.
to be worried that something you are going to do might be morally wrong: · Few so-called animal lovers have qualms when they purchase meat from supermarkets.· Despite my qualms, I accepted the job.have qualms about: · Shareholders seem to have few qualms about companies sponsoring overseas abortion programs.
to make someone feel worried · The changes in the Earth's climate began to worry some scientists.· "Why didn't you tell me?" "I didn't want to worry you."it worries somebody that · Doesn't it worry you that Stephen spends so much time away from home?what worries somebody is · 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.
if a problem troubles you, it makes you feel worried because you do not know what to do about it: · You must talk to your daughter and find out what's troubling her.· The incident troubled me -- it wasn't like Sarah to be so secretive.be troubled by something: · She is troubled by the fact that her son already shows signs of inheriting his father's mental problems.
if someone else's problems, health, safety etc concern you, you worry about them because you think they are important, even when they may not affect you personally: · Kate's behaviour at school is starting to concern her parents.it concerns somebody that: · It concerns me that some tutors are meeting with students outside college hours.what concerns somebody is: · What concerns me most is that despite pay increases, production has not improved.
if something bothers you, it slightly worries you - use this especially about problems that do not seem serious: · The only thing that bothers me is how I'm going to get from the station to the farm.· You shouldn't let little things like that bother you.what bothers somebody is: · What bothers me is that you didn't feel you could talk to me or your father about it.
also give somebody cause for concern if something that is happening causes concern or is a cause for concern , it makes someone, especially someone in an official position, feel worried, because it is unsatisfactory or possibly dangerous - used especially in official situations: · We have to inform you that your son's behaviour has been causing concern for some time now.· Two dozen cases of water poisoning in the space of a week certainly is a cause for concern, and we shall be taking action.· The Secretary General said that the recent developments are giving him cause for concern.cause somebody concern: · Your husband has almost recovered -- the only thing that's still causing us concern is his high blood pressure.cause concern among: · The decision has caused concern among human rights groups.
if a problem or something bad that has happened preys on your mind , it worries you continuously even though you do not want to think about it: · It was starting to prey on my mind so much that I went to the hospital.· The old woman's warning preyed on Mary's mind as she continued her journey.
what you say to tell someone not to worry · "Don't worry, there's plenty of food for anyone who wants to come."don't worry about · "Don't worry about me -- I'll be fine," said Billie.· Don't worry about it. You can pay me back tomorrow.
also it's/everything's ok use this to try to make someone feel better when they are worrying: · It's all right, honey, don't cry.· It'll all be over soon, and everything's going to be ok.
use this to tell someone that there is no reason to worry: there's/it's nothing to worry about: · It's just a simple check-up. There's nothing to worry about.somebody has nothing to worry about: · You're a bright girl, and you've got nothing to worry about, as long as you finish all your assignments.
WORD SETSAfghan, nounAlsatian, nounaviary, nounbark, nounbasset, nounbeagle, nounbedding, nounbeg, verbbow-wow, nounboxer, nounbudgerigar, nounbudgie, nounbull terrier, nounbunny, nouncage, nouncanary, nouncat, nouncat flap, nouncat litter, nouncattery, nounchihuahua, nounchoke chain, nouncollar, nouncollie, noundachshund, nounDalmatian, noundogcatcher, noundog collar, noundoggy, noundog warden, noundomestic, adjectivedomesticate, verbflea collar, nounfoxhound, nounfox terrier, noungerbil, nounGerman shepherd, noungolden retriever, noungoldfish, noungoldfish bowl, noungreyhound, nounhound, nounhousebroken, adjectivehouse-trained, adjectivekennel, nounkibble, nounkitten, nounkitty, nounLabrador, nounlap dog, nounlead, nounleash, nounleash, verblitter, nounmaster, nounmastiff, nounmew, verbmiaow, verbmoggy, nounmongrel, nounmutt, nounmuzzle, nounmuzzle, verbOld English sheepdog, nounPekinese, nounPersian cat, nounpet, nounpit bull terrier, nounpooper scooper, nounpuppy, nounpurr, verbpuss, nounpussy, nounsausage dog, nounsheepdog, nounSiamese cat, nounspaniel, nountabby, nounterrier, nountortoiseshell, nountoy, adjectiveunleash, verbwalkies, nounwater, verbwolfhound, nounwoof, interjectionworry, verb
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY
Don’t tell Mum about this – she’s got enough to worry about (=she already has a lot of problems or is very busy). The only thing that worries me is the food. I don’t want to get food poisoning. He paused, afraid lest he say too much. She worried lest he should tell someone what had happened. She doesn’t seem unduly concerned about her exams.COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADVERB
Don’t tell Mum about this – she’s got enough to worry about (=she already has a lot of problems or is very busy). The only thing that worries me is the food. I don’t want to get food poisoning. (=feel anxious, especially when there is no need to) You’re worrying yourself unnecessarily.
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES You’re worrying yourself unnecessarily.· The worrying aspect is that it gets worse every year.
· She stood looking at me with an anxious expression.
· My father watched us go with a worried face.
· their worries about the future of the English countryside
He paused, afraid lest he say too much. She worried lest he should tell someone what had happened.· Hazel was now seriously worried.
· I have detected a worrying trend of late.
She doesn’t seem unduly concerned about her exams.· I only had the first one to worry about.· Bland reassurances came from the officials in charge of the spraying, who said there was nothing to worry about.· But it's going to be all right - there's nothing to worry about.· She worries about him all the time. 1943 I am fourteen months old when my father goes away to war.· Not much to worry about there, he thought.· I had nothing to worry about.· The one thing I didn't have to worry about was losing control of my bodily functions.· As it turned out, there was nothing to worry about.
· To protect Britain's biggest manufacturer by making it less efficient: now that should really worry the public.· It really worries me what the impact could be in a few years when we hit the bottom of the business cycle.· That's the one that really worries me.· It is the criminal activity surrounding the supply of illegal drugs that we should really worry about.· I was fourteen, and Mom got really worried about me.· It hasn't really worried me, though.· I don't really worry about my body.
NOUN· But there was really no need to worry.· A State Department spokeswoman says there is no need to worry.· Because she never had to be his lover in front of Maggie or Rachel she had no need to worry about that either.· No need to worry about electrical failure, either, thanks to our backup response unit.· So I see no need to worry.· At the initial planning stage there is probably no need to worry too much about the three attainment targets.· She was at work, he knew; there was no need to worry about her.
· One thing that worries parents about their children becoming vegetarian is that they might lack protein.· We have better things to worry about.· There's only one thing worries me.· I have more important things to worry about.· Few things were more worrying than the idea of Andrea with magic powers.· But one thing that worries me is the way information about the sortie has leaked out.· That sort of thing worries the college authorities no end, as you can imagine.· The things that worry Sid-Ahmed most are the deep divisions the population crush has helped create.
· Do not worry about things like night clothes and toilet things - the hospital will have everything that you could need.· Machinists worry about getting things level and straight.· In their present situation there was no time to worry about such things.· Downtown business types worry about things like access to parking garages.· But never mind no time to worry about things like that.· But how can I worry about these things now?· Basque is so well off that it can worry about esoteric things as far as the language is concerned.· For there is no point in worrying about things that are outside your control.
VERB· When she got the blade of the shove between her teeth and began to worry it I called a halt.· And I began to worry about Bill himself.· Then, when I- heard cries on the moor, I began to worry about him.· Maggie began to worry that they might actually physically restrain her.· But after a few days Clare began to worry.· By now it was getting late and I began to worry.· Fort Davis residents have begun to worry that McLaren is not a solitary kook.
· Hilda would have called it not letting him worry, keeping everything smooth and secure.· You let me worry about that.· It was so far outside anything he'd ever seen before that his mind wasn't letting him worry about it.· Were you, a slave, called? Let it not worry you.· Don't let it worry you.· Have fun. Let me do the worrying.· But I still didn't let my weight worry me.· For years we voters have demanded high government services and low taxes, letting future generations worry about the fiscal consequences.
· I am starting to worry that I might be schizophrenic.· Though the girls loved the game, after a while he started worrying about what other people might think.· Half way through, I started to worry that an airplane would crash into the preview theatre.· Melvin, our metaphor for the government, starts worrying.· I started to worry about the curfew.· She had started to worry about Mr Skipton almost as much as she worried about his sick wife.· And then I started to worry.
· Maera looks at the faces in front of her and she stops worrying.· Reading aloud to our kids will have educational payoffs only if we stop worrying about those payoffs.· He stopped worrying about him anyway.· Before long, we stopped worrying that it would end.· So should we stop worrying about the abuse excuse?· He can never stop worrying about where the next meal is coming from.· I had to stop worrying, I had to forget about everything but Frank.· But that did not mean that we stopped worrying.
· Lynn told me not to worry, that he would sort it out with Frank.· Yet gays turning to churches and other institutions for help all too often were told not to worry.· My position there was simple: I told them not to worry about it.· He told me not to worry.· I told her not to worry, it's wind, and not to pick him up every minute, either.· Quinn stood up, raised his hand in a gesture of peace, and told her not to worry.· I told them not to worry, that I was sure I'd see them again - on the scene.· Denoyer tells him not to worry, the painting is just out on loan to a gallery in Cannes.
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRYPHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES► be out of your mind with worry/grief etc► be worried sick/be sick with worry
- "Don't worry about me -- I'll be fine," said Billie.
- "Don't worry, there's plenty of food for anyone who wants to come."
- Don't worry - I'll do the laundry this time.
- Don't worry about it. You can pay me back tomorrow.
- Don't worry! The flight's not until 9:30. We have plenty of time.
- Don't worry. The doctor says it's just a bad cold.
- Don't worry; I'll lend you money if you need it.
- Denoyer tells him not to worry, the painting is just out on loan to a gallery in Cannes.
- Have a good night and try not to worry.
- He told me not to worry.
- It was far enough from home for him not to worry about who he'd see there.
- Michael told him not to worry, it was all taken care of.
- Theo was asked not to worry, and not to tell anyone unless forced.
- They try not to worry excessively about the uncertainties in the future or to dwell on the traumatic events of the past.
- Yet gays turning to churches and other institutions for help all too often were told not to worry.
- It's just a simple check-up. There's nothing to worry about.
- You're a bright girl, and you've got nothing to worry about, as long as you finish all your assignments.
- As long as those trousers were still in circulation, I felt sure there was nothing to worry about.
- Bland reassurances came from the officials in charge of the spraying, who said there was nothing to worry about.
- But Mel still insisted they had nothing to worry about.
- I can reassure you that your sexy dreams are nothing to worry about.
- Nine times out of ten, using this tactic, you discover that there's nothing to worry about.
- There was nothing to worry about: if there had been, the fuzz would have come in with a warrant.
- You can then realistically reassure yourself that you have nothing to worry about.
- You have nothing to worry about.
- For not the least of Henry's problems was how to raise the money required for the accomplishment of such an undertaking.
- Greatly increased taxes and a major shift back to defence expenditure could be the least of our worries.
- Not the least of its problems was extreme alienation between labor and management.
- That was the least of her troubles.
- The death under somewhat dubious circumstances of a racehorse belonging to his son was frankly the least of his problems.
- Almost immediately, the fretting, niggling worries and the sense of fearful anticipation began to return.
- Always, in the background, in the dim recesses of her mind, there had been that niggling doubt.
- And here a niggling doubt enters the mind.
- Nor did it remove the niggling suspicion that Isabel was hiding something.
- Of course, this is usually so, but I am having little niggling doubts about such a sweeping statement.
- There remains the niggling doubt that this delay has something to do with our muddled sentimentality towards animals.
- There was, however, a niggling doubt in the minds of some of the jurors.
- It would be nice to have been able to offload your worries on to some one or something like that.
- And I was scared stiff about having lied to Mel about being single when he hired me.
- Cis, who knew about it, was scared stiff.
- He was scared stiff, thought a ghastly mistake had been made.
- He was very naturally scared stiff of using up all his remaining petrol and making a bad landing.
- Mabel was by now scared stiff and frozen cold.
- Poor kid, thought Alice, he's scared stiff.
- We looked at each other, scared stiff, but we followed Mrs Bullivant upstairs.
WORD FAMILYadjectiveworried ≠ unworriedworryingworrisomenounworryworrieradverbworryinglyworriedlyverbworry
1be anxious [intransitive] 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 something2don’t worry spoken a)used when you are trying to make someone feel less anxious: Don’t worry, darling, Daddy’s here.worry if Don’t worry if you can’t finish all the questions. b)used to tell someone that they do not need to do somethingworry about Don’t worry about sorting them out – I’ll do it later. c)used to tell someone that you will definitely do something: Don’t you worry, I’ll make sure he does his fair share.3make somebody anxious [transitive] 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.4not to worry British English spoken used to say that something is not important: Not to worry, we can always go another time.5nothing to worry about spoken used to tell someone that something is not as serious or difficult as they think: It’s just a check-up – nothing to worry about.6annoy [transitive] to annoy someone SYN bother: The heat didn’t seem to worry him.7animal [transitive] if a dog worries sheep, it tries to bite or kill themworry at something phrasal verb1if an animal worries at a bone or piece of meat, it bites and shakes it2if you worry at a problem, you think about it a lot in order to find a solutionworry1 verbworry2 noun
worryworry2 ●●● S2 noun (plural worries) EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- Worries about the tire company's performance sent its shares tumbling.
- financial worries
- His remarks reflect a widespread worry that Canada may be going the same way as the US.
- It's important that children can discuss their worries with their parents.
- Roosevelt's chief worry at the time was that an attack on Britain would put the US at a strategic disadvantage.
- The launch was delayed because of worries over protestors.
- The meningitis outbreak is a major cause of worry at the moment.
- The poor mother was sick with worry over her missing daughter.
- The rage and disappointment had disappeared, but the worry in Jim's face was starting to show.
- This constant worry about your debts isn't doing you any good at all.
- A modest economic upswing may relieve the worries of the corporations.
- As he dried his hands carefully, finger by finger, the old familiar worry returned, heavy as a morbid growth.
- At the back of her mind was a nagging worry about the Tarlands' relationship with Marco.
- For she followed through with an act which suggests that she may have had some later worries.
- His worry is how to handle success.
- The experiment, which had caused some worry, particularly on the Labour benches, was entirely successful.
- The great worry of most Hormel backers this time around is that Helms will block hearings on his nomination.
- You may recall that earlier in the year I burdened you with my worries.
THESAURUSsomething that makes you worried
a problem that you are anxious about or are not sure how to deal with: · You should discuss your worries with your parents.· Worries about the company’s performance sent its share prices falling.
a situation that makes you feel worried, especially a problem that affects a lot of people, but that may not affect you personally: · One 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.
problems in your life that you are worried about: · I 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.
written problems or responsibilities in your life that make you worry: · She was not ready for the cares and responsibilities of running a family.· A holiday would give them chance to forget about all their cares.
informal a feeling of worry or embarrassment about something personal, such as your appearance or relationships with other people: · She has a hang-up about her nose.· We all have our hang-ups.
the feeling of being worried the feeling of not being happy or relaxed and thinking a lot about a problem or something that is wrong: · She was sick with worry over her daughter.· the look of worry on his face
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 situation: · The 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.
a worried feeling – use this especially when many people are worried about a problem that affects everyone: · The shortage of water is beginning to cause widespread concern.
the feeling of being worried all the time, for example about work or personal problems, which can make you ill or very tired: · Her financial problems were causing her a lot of stress.
a feeling of extreme mental suffering caused by worry: · How could her parents survive the anguish of not knowing what had happened to her?· When she spoke, her voice was full of anguish.
a strong feeling of worry and anxiety because you are worried about your life, your future, or what you should do in a particular situation: · The letter was full of teenage angst - would she ever be able to find another boyfriend?· There was much angst about the decision.
Longman Language Activatorthe feeling of being worried · The meningitis outbreak is a major cause of worry at the moment.· The rage and disappointment had disappeared, but the worry in Jim's face was starting to show.worry over/about · This constant worry about your debts isn't doing you any good at all.be sick with worry · The poor mother was sick with worry over her missing daughter.
the feeling of being worried all the time, for example about work or personal problems, which can make you ill or very tired: · Her financial problems were causing her a lot of stress.· methods for reducing stress· Air travelers can enjoy stress-free trips if they follow a few guidelines.stress of: · The city's many parks offer a comforting relief from the stress of modern life.mental/emotional/psychological stress: · Geoff is having trouble dealing with the emotional stress of his recent divorce.stress-related illnesses/disorders/conditions etc (=illnesses, conditions etc caused by stress): · His wife has also suffered stress-related health problems.be under stress (=be feeling stress): · She had been under a lot of stress just before the baby was born.· Workers are under such stress right now, and they have less time to spend relaxing with their families.
a worried feeling - use this especially when many people are worried about a problem that affects everyone: · The shortage of water is beginning to cause widespread concern.concern about/over: · There is also some concern about the safety of the structure.express/voice concern: · I did voice my concern about the financial management, but was told to stay quiet. deep/grave concern: · This is a matter of grave concern to the hospital management.
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 situation: · I knew I had to give a speech, but the thought filled me with anxiety.· feelings of guilt and anxiety· The increase in the tax on heating fuel is causing a lot of anxiety among elderly people.anxiety about: · Her anxiety about the pain of childbirth is understandable.
a feeling of being worried that is caused by having to continuously deal with a difficult problem or having to work very hard for a long period of time: · The strain of managing such a huge company became too much for Anita.· He could see the strain in her face as she told him what she was going through.be a strain on: · The legal fight has been an enormous strain on my wife. put (a) strain on something: · The company wanted 110% commitment, and that put a strain on our marriage.be under strain: · She had a busy week, and she's under a lot of strain at the moment.
a strong feeling of worry and anxiety, especially about things that you cannot change: · Wallowing in angst about the unfairness of it all will just make the problem worse.· a period of national angst· a touching story of teenage angst
something that makes you feel worried · 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.worry about/over · Worries about the tire company's performance sent its shares tumbling.· The launch was delayed because of worries over protestors.greatest/biggest/main etc worry · Roosevelt's chief worry at the time was that an attack on Britain would put the US at a strategic disadvantage.
a situation that makes you feel worried, especially a problem that affects a lot of people, but that may not affect you personally: · The hospital's main concern is that doctors are overworked.· The survey suggests that rising crime is the top of the average American's concerns. concern about/over: · My only concern about the match is that Price will be fit enough to take part.· The committee brushed aside concerns about racism and prejudice in local government.raise concerns (=cause concerns): · The incident has raised concerns that the government may retaliate.
all the things in a job or situation that make you feel worried and tired, especially when your work or life is very difficult: · Despite many stresses and strains, the team has held together, and I'm proud of that.stresses and strains of: · the stresses and strains of modern living· Do some gentle exercises to relieve the stresses and strains of your day.
informal if you have a hang-up about something, for example your appearance, or your relationships with other people, you feel worried and embarrassed about it, and this makes you feel less confident: · I want the children to understand sex and grow up without any hang-ups.have a hang-up about: · Sarah has a hang-up about her nose -- she thinks it's too big.· They're just ordinary people with all the usual hang-ups about love.
written problems or responsibilities in your life that make you worry: · She was not really ready for the cares and responsibilities of running a family.· 'Forget all your cares and worries', as the song goes.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRYadjectives He paused, afraid lest he say too much. She worried lest he should tell someone what had happened. She doesn’t seem unduly concerned about her exams.COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADJECTIVE
· My biggest worry is that I might make a fool of myself.
· Traffic congestion is not yet a major worry in the area.
· It's a real worry that he is so far away.
· My only worry was that she wouldn't like it.
· For shopkeepers here, break-ins are a constant worry.
(=one that you keep worrying about)· She had a little nagging worry in the back of her mind about how Mickey would react.
· Bach’s last years were clouded by financial worries.
(=there is no reason to worry)· Fortunately their worries were unfounded and the astronauts returned safely to Earth.
phrases· Her children were a constant source of worry.
· The girl's mother was sick with worry over her missing daughter.
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES· The worrying aspect is that it gets worse every year.
· She stood looking at me with an anxious expression.
· My father watched us go with a worried face.
· their worries about the future of the English countryside
He paused, afraid lest he say too much. She worried lest he should tell someone what had happened.· Hazel was now seriously worried.
· I have detected a worrying trend of late.
She doesn’t seem unduly concerned about her exams.· But the biggest worry for Taylor must be Platt.· Among the biggest worries of fathers today is how their children are faring in child care while they are at work.· For the government, pensions are the biggest worry.· My big worry is that the Monster will come wide awake and ruin things with its gross demands.· That's my biggest worry, keeping warm.· The big worry now is: how many other societies might follow suit.· The second big worry is that health reform will confirm Mr Clinton's reputation as a tax-and-spend liberal.· The biggest worry is still public finance.
· We were trying to find out where his particular niches lay and the constant worry at that time was lack of money.· I would have preferred suffering financially over living with the constant worry about them operating the market.· Infection in surgery, whether from within or outside the patient, is a constant worry.· Obviously you can get no joy out of motherhood if it is simply a constant worry.· We do have an ever constant worry about finance and on the back page you will find our latest Fund Raising Appeal.
· And he says our own economic worries aren't a good enough excuse.
· These are difficult days for students ... financial worries and job uncertainty, as well as coping with life alone.· 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.· In one bound he would be free of all financial worries.· The jury heard Warwick had financial worries which caused marital pressures.· Bach's last years were clouded by financial worries caused by declining receipts and heavy expenditure on the Hanover Square concerts.· Only after Coleridge returned from Shrewsbury, freed at last from immediate financial worry, could vague hopes be transformed into clearer intentions.· It ends months of financial worry for Alan Govier, who worked for a printing firm for forty-nine years.
· I don't mind telling you, I've been almost frantic with worry this last half-hour.
· But David Beaton's greatest worry was for Hector.· The idea is to secure peace of mind for the elderly whose greatest worry is fear of attack.· Remember only recently when the great worry was that gays were going to wreck the military?· As insurance the selectors have picked seven loose forwards and this may emphasise one of the great worries about the touring side.· She had enough to worry about and the greatest worry was how to make herself step inside this house.· He found the bank's routine congenial, keeping greater worries at bay.
· My main worry is that he hasn't brought interest rates down far enough.· As far as children with special educational needs are concerned, there are for me two main worries.· But it has given rise to two main worries among western diplomats in Bonn.· Their main worry is their children.· Hand movements are one of their main worries.· Concussion is the main worry concerning feet and joints.· Their main worries seemed to be not the paper, but bad publicity and the left being seen fighting amongst itself.
· A major worry for patients in psychiatric hospitals has always been money and access to it.· Nor was food going to be a major worry.· Another major worry for women is being left on their own.· It was a worry that became our major worry.· The major worry concerns skipper and key defender Brian Gayle.· The prospect of sailing into the late autumn was itself the major worry.· The other major worry was that the Russells Hall pupils would be much better at the work.
· At first Keoni had seemed very remote, too distant to be a real worry.· But even playing it is a real worry.· I've had some real worries lately-including love problems.· It is a real worry that evictions might take place.· It's a real worry with him being so far away.· The quality of those troops was at the heart of the Duke's real worries.
· She was sick with worry about everything.
VERB· The experiment, which had caused some worry, particularly on the Labour benches, was entirely successful.· Holidays Holidays cause a lot of worry for novice fishkeepers.· Stability Basements constructed from new should not cause any worries.· Sien was causing him a great deal of worry as the year wore on.· The people concerned should make sure of the facts before causing unnecessary worry.· This makes it difficult to reach a decision, and causes a nagging worry as to whether the right system has been selected.· It isn't nuclear radiation but electro magnetic and magnetic fields that are causing the worry.
· Shrewsbury eased their worries with a 2-1 win over fellow strugglers Halifax at Gay Meadow.· This would ease worries in the West about supply shortages.
· Armstrong also expressed his worry over the inconsistency between benzene-diazo-chloride and benzene-azo-benzene, both with two nitrogen atoms.· They may become more able to express their worries and anger in posItive, rather than maladaptive, ways.· In order for parents to express these worries, however, the child must at some time have produced actual behaviour.· Nevertheless, headteachers did express worries about condoned absence.· While some expressed worry and fear, many appeared indifferent and even optimistic about the chaos in the building.
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRYPHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES► be out of your mind with worry/grief etc► be worried sick/be sick with worry
- Alone, with no worries, lie whistled.
- And he'd no worries, I know.
- Chief Superintendent Len Wise says he has no worries about the brewery being involved.
- He represents the Shinagawa area of Tokyo, and so has no worries about offending farmers.
- Low voltage lights are widely available and simple to install with no worries about safety.
- Lyle, as a former winner, has no worries on that score.
- With no worries of visits from secret police, we laughed and joked the night away, drinking wine and plum brandy.
- You've no worries about equipment, administration, staffing or supplies.
- For not the least of Henry's problems was how to raise the money required for the accomplishment of such an undertaking.
- Greatly increased taxes and a major shift back to defence expenditure could be the least of our worries.
- Not the least of its problems was extreme alienation between labor and management.
- That was the least of her troubles.
- The death under somewhat dubious circumstances of a racehorse belonging to his son was frankly the least of his problems.
- Almost immediately, the fretting, niggling worries and the sense of fearful anticipation began to return.
- Always, in the background, in the dim recesses of her mind, there had been that niggling doubt.
- And here a niggling doubt enters the mind.
- Nor did it remove the niggling suspicion that Isabel was hiding something.
- Of course, this is usually so, but I am having little niggling doubts about such a sweeping statement.
- There remains the niggling doubt that this delay has something to do with our muddled sentimentality towards animals.
- There was, however, a niggling doubt in the minds of some of the jurors.
- It would be nice to have been able to offload your worries on to some one or something like that.
- And I was scared stiff about having lied to Mel about being single when he hired me.
- Cis, who knew about it, was scared stiff.
- He was scared stiff, thought a ghastly mistake had been made.
- He was very naturally scared stiff of using up all his remaining petrol and making a bad landing.
- Mabel was by now scared stiff and frozen cold.
- Poor kid, thought Alice, he's scared stiff.
- We looked at each other, scared stiff, but we followed Mrs Bullivant upstairs.
WORD FAMILYadjectiveworried ≠ unworriedworryingworrisomenounworryworrieradverbworryinglyworriedlyverbworry
1[countable] 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] 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.3no worries British English spoken used to agree to what someone wants and to say that it will be no problem: ‘Can you deliver on Thursday?’ ‘Yeah, no worries, mate.’COLLOCATIONSadjectivessomebody’s main/biggest worry· My biggest worry is that I might make a fool of myself.a major/big/great worry· Traffic congestion is not yet a major worry in the area.a real worry· It's a real worry that he is so far away.somebody's only worry· My only worry was that she wouldn't like it.a constant worry· For 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 worries· Bach’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 worry· Her children were a constant source of worry.be sick/frantic with worry· The 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 with: · You 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 personally: · One 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 about: · I 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 worry: · She 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 people: · She 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 wrong: · She 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 situation: · The 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 everyone: · The 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 tired: · Her financial problems were causing her a lot of stress.anguish a feeling of extreme mental suffering caused by worry: · How 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 situation: · The letter was full of teenage angst - would she ever be able to find another boyfriend?· There was much angst about the decision.