anxiety
Anxiety is a feeling of worry or nervousness about things that might happen.
Explanation at your level:
Anxiety is a feeling. You feel it when you are worried. Maybe you are worried about a test. Your heart beats fast. You feel nervous. It is normal to feel this way sometimes.
Anxiety is a strong feeling of worry. When you have anxiety, you might feel nervous about the future. For example, you might have anxiety before a big game or a school exam. It is a common emotion for many people.
Anxiety is the state of being worried or uneasy about something. It often happens when the outcome of a future event is uncertain. People often experience anxiety in social situations or at work. It is a natural response to stress, though it can be uncomfortable to manage.
Anxiety is a complex emotional response to perceived future threats. Unlike fear, which is immediate, anxiety is often lingering. It is frequently used in collocations like 'social anxiety' or 'performance anxiety' to describe specific triggers. Understanding this word helps you express deeper emotional states beyond simple 'worry'.
In advanced English, anxiety is used to denote a state of apprehension or unease that may be disproportionate to the actual threat. It is a term frequently employed in psychological discourse, yet it remains a staple in literary descriptions of character development. The nuance lies in the internal nature of the feeling; it is a cognitive and physiological state rather than an external event.
The term anxiety encapsulates a profound human condition of existential unease. Etymologically linked to the sensation of constriction, it has evolved into a sophisticated descriptor for modern psychological distress. In academic and high-level literary contexts, it often serves as a lens through which to examine the tension between human agency and the unpredictability of the future. Mastery of this word involves recognizing its role as both a clinical diagnosis and a universal, albeit subjective, experience of the human psyche.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Anxiety is a feeling of worry or unease.
- It is usually an uncountable noun.
- It is often caused by uncertain future events.
- Commonly managed through relaxation techniques.
Have you ever felt like your heart was beating just a little too fast before a big presentation? That feeling is often anxiety. It is a completely natural human emotion that acts as an internal alarm system.
When we talk about anxiety, we are usually describing a state of unease. It is not just being 'sad' or 'scared'; it is more about that restless, anticipatory feeling where your brain is trying to solve a problem that hasn't even happened yet.
Think of it as your mind's way of trying to prepare for the future. While it can be uncomfortable, it is a universal experience that almost everyone encounters throughout their life, whether they are starting a new job or waiting for important news.
The word anxiety has a fascinating journey through time. It traces its roots back to the Latin word anxietas, which itself comes from anxius, meaning 'solicitous' or 'uneasy'.
If you go back even further to the Proto-Indo-European root angh-, you find the meaning 'to press tight' or 'to strangle'. This makes perfect sense when you consider how anxiety often feels like a tightness in the chest or throat!
By the 16th century, the word entered English via the French anxiété. Over the centuries, it shifted from describing a general state of 'troubled mind' to the more specific psychological and emotional definition we use today in both medical and casual contexts.
In English, anxiety is a versatile noun. You will often hear people say they are 'suffering from' or 'experiencing' anxiety. It is important to note that it is an uncountable noun in most contexts.
Common collocations include 'social anxiety', 'performance anxiety', and 'general anxiety'. You might hear someone say, 'I have a lot of anxiety about the flight.' This is a very common way to express that you are worried about a specific upcoming event.
The register is neutral to formal. While you might tell a close friend, 'I'm feeling anxious,' using the noun 'anxiety' often implies a slightly more serious or descriptive tone, making it perfect for both casual conversation and professional settings.
While 'anxiety' itself isn't always in an idiom, it is closely related to many. Here are five ways to describe that feeling:
- Butterflies in one's stomach: Feeling nervous before a big event.
- On edge: Feeling tense and easily startled.
- Biting one's nails: A physical sign of extreme nervousness.
- A bundle of nerves: Someone who is extremely anxious.
- Sweating bullets: Being very nervous or anxious about a situation.
Pronounced /æŋˈzaɪ.ə.ti/ in both US and UK English, the stress falls on the second syllable. It is a four-syllable word that flows quite smoothly once you get the hang of the 'z' sound.
Grammatically, anxiety is a non-count noun. You don't usually say 'anxieties' unless you are referring to specific, distinct worries or concerns in a literary or formal sense. It is almost always preceded by 'some', 'a lot of', or 'the'.
It rhymes with 'variety' and 'society', which can be a helpful memory hook for the rhythm of the word. Remember to focus on the 'z' sound in the middle—it's a voiced sound that distinguishes it from similar-looking words.
Fun Fact
The root meaning explains the physical feeling of a tight chest.
Pronunciation Guide
Clear 'ang' sound followed by 'zye-uh-tee'.
Similar to UK, with a flap 't' sound.
Common Errors
- Mispronouncing the 'z' as an 's'
- Adding an extra syllable
- Misplacing the stress on the first syllable
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Common word, easy to read.
Standard spelling.
Tricky consonant cluster.
Clear pronunciation.
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Uncountable Nouns
Anxiety is hard to measure.
Adjective-Noun Agreement
Severe anxiety.
Prepositional Phrases
Anxiety about the test.
Examples by Level
I feel anxiety before the test.
I feel worry before the test.
Noun usage
She has some anxiety.
She has some worry.
Uncountable noun
Do not have anxiety.
Do not worry.
Imperative
He felt anxiety today.
He felt worry today.
Past tense
Is it anxiety?
Is it worry?
Question form
Anxiety is common.
Worry is common.
Subject usage
I hate anxiety.
I hate worry.
Verb + Noun
No more anxiety.
No more worry.
Phrase
She felt a lot of anxiety about the move.
The dog showed signs of anxiety.
He tried to hide his anxiety.
Anxiety is hard to deal with.
They talked about their anxiety.
The test caused her great anxiety.
I have anxiety about flying.
His anxiety grew as time passed.
Social anxiety can make parties difficult.
She managed her anxiety through exercise.
Public speaking often triggers anxiety.
He suffered from severe anxiety for years.
The uncertainty caused a sense of anxiety.
We need to reduce our anxiety levels.
Her anxiety was visible to everyone.
Many students experience exam anxiety.
The economic climate has fueled public anxiety.
He was paralyzed by his own anxiety.
Performance anxiety is common among musicians.
She spoke openly about her struggle with anxiety.
There is a growing awareness of anxiety disorders.
The silence was filled with palpable anxiety.
He couldn't shake the feeling of anxiety.
Her anxiety manifested as physical pain.
The protagonist's existential anxiety is a central theme.
His anxiety was rooted in a fear of failure.
The policy change created widespread anxiety among staff.
She navigated the situation with surprising lack of anxiety.
The clinical definition of anxiety has evolved significantly.
His anxiety was an obstacle to his professional growth.
They sought to alleviate the anxiety of the investors.
A pervasive sense of anxiety hung over the city.
The novel masterfully captures the malaise and anxiety of the era.
Her anxiety was a manifestation of deep-seated insecurities.
The societal anxiety regarding technology is well-documented.
He articulated his anxiety with poetic precision.
The therapy aimed to deconstruct the roots of his anxiety.
Anxiety often acts as a catalyst for creative expression.
The subtle anxiety in his voice was unmistakable.
She viewed her anxiety as a signal to be heeded.
Antonyms
Common Collocations
Idioms & Expressions
"on edge"
Feeling nervous and tense.
I've been on edge all day.
casual"butterflies in one's stomach"
Nervous feeling before an event.
I had butterflies before the interview.
casual"a bundle of nerves"
Someone very anxious.
She was a bundle of nerves before the show.
casual"sweating bullets"
Extremely nervous.
I was sweating bullets during the presentation.
casual"on pins and needles"
Anxious anticipation.
We were on pins and needles waiting for the news.
neutral"jumpy"
Easily startled due to anxiety.
The loud noise made him jumpy.
casualEasily Confused
Adjective vs Noun
Anxious describes a person; anxiety is the feeling.
I am anxious (adj) because of my anxiety (noun).
Similar origin
Angst is often existential; anxiety is more general.
He felt angst about his life's purpose.
Similar meaning
Worry is more common/casual; anxiety is more clinical.
I worry about money vs I have anxiety.
Often used interchangeably
Stress is the reaction to a pressure; anxiety is the feeling that persists.
Work stress caused my anxiety.
Sentence Patterns
Subject + feel + anxiety
I feel anxiety when I drive.
Subject + have + anxiety + about + noun
She has anxiety about the trip.
Subject + suffer + from + anxiety
He suffers from anxiety.
Subject + cause + anxiety + for + someone
The delay caused anxiety for us.
Subject + manage + anxiety
They learned to manage their anxiety.
Word Family
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Related
How to Use It
8/10
Formality Scale
Common Mistakes
Usually uncountable unless referring to specific, distinct worries.
Do not use the indefinite article 'an' with this uncountable noun.
Anxious is an adjective; anxiety is the noun.
While 'anxiousness' exists, 'anxiety' is the preferred standard term.
We typically have anxiety about something, not of.
Tips
Memory Palace Trick
Imagine a tight knot in your chest whenever you hear the word.
When Native Speakers Use It
They use it to describe both medical and non-medical stress.
Cultural Insight
It is a very common topic in modern Western culture.
Grammar Shortcut
Treat it like 'water'—don't count it.
Say It Right
Focus on the 'z' sound.
Don't Make This Mistake
Don't say 'an anxierty'.
Did You Know?
It comes from a word meaning 'to strangle'.
Study Smart
Use it in sentences about your own life.
Article usage
Use 'some' or 'a lot of' instead of 'a'.
Rhythm
Tap your finger for each syllable.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
An-X-I-E-T-Y: Always Notice X-tra Intense Energy Tugging You.
Visual Association
A tight knot in a rope representing the feeling.
Word Web
Challenge
Write three sentences about things that make you feel anxious.
Word Origin
Latin
Original meaning: To press tight or strangle
Cultural Context
Mental health topics should be discussed with empathy.
Widely discussed in mental health awareness.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
at work
- manage work anxiety
- performance anxiety
- deadline anxiety
at school
- exam anxiety
- social anxiety
- test anxiety
traveling
- flight anxiety
- travel anxiety
- new city anxiety
health
- general anxiety
- symptoms of anxiety
- reduce anxiety
Conversation Starters
"What are some common causes of anxiety?"
"How do you personally deal with anxiety?"
"Do you think society is more anxious today than in the past?"
"How can we help friends who are feeling anxiety?"
"Is it normal to feel anxiety before a big event?"
Journal Prompts
Describe a time you felt anxiety and how you handled it.
What are three things that help you feel calm when you have anxiety?
How does anxiety affect your ability to focus?
Write a letter to your 'anxious self' with advice.
Frequently Asked Questions
8 questionsIt can be a symptom of a disorder, but it is also a normal emotion.
Yes, but usually only in formal or literary contexts.
It is a voiced sound, like the 'z' in 'zoo'.
Fear is for immediate threats; anxiety is for future worries.
Worry specifically about social interactions.
No, it is strictly for negative or uneasy feelings.
It depends on your relationship; be sensitive.
Yes, 'anxieties'.
Test Yourself
I feel ___ about the test.
Anxiety is the feeling of worry.
Which is a synonym for anxiety?
Worry is a synonym.
Anxiety is usually a countable noun.
It is typically uncountable.
Word
Meaning
Distinguishing word classes.
The test caused her anxiety.
Score: /5
Summary
Anxiety is a natural human response to uncertainty, and learning to manage it is a key part of emotional health.
- Anxiety is a feeling of worry or unease.
- It is usually an uncountable noun.
- It is often caused by uncertain future events.
- Commonly managed through relaxation techniques.
Memory Palace Trick
Imagine a tight knot in your chest whenever you hear the word.
When Native Speakers Use It
They use it to describe both medical and non-medical stress.
Cultural Insight
It is a very common topic in modern Western culture.
Grammar Shortcut
Treat it like 'water'—don't count it.
Example
I feel a lot of anxiety before I travel to a new place.
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