worried
When you feel worried, you are feeling nervous or unhappy because you are thinking about problems.
Explanation at your level:
You use worried when you feel sad or nervous. If you think something bad will happen, you are worried. Example: 'I am worried about the test.' It is a very useful word for your daily life.
When you are worried, you feel uncomfortable because of a problem. You might feel worried about your family, your work, or your money. It is a common feeling when things are not going well.
The adjective worried describes a state of anxiety. We often use it with 'about' to explain the cause. For instance, 'She is worried about her health.' It is more specific than just saying 'sad' or 'nervous'.
Worried implies a cognitive focus on potential negative outcomes. It is frequently used in professional settings to express legitimate concern, such as 'The board is worried about the market trends.' It carries a nuance of responsibility.
In advanced English, worried can be nuanced to distinguish between transient anxiety and deep-seated apprehension. It is often paired with adverbs like 'terribly', 'deeply', or 'mildly' to calibrate the intensity of the emotion. It is a staple in both narrative and analytical discourse.
At the mastery level, worried serves as a gateway to discussing the psychological dimensions of human concern. Etymologically, it connects to the visceral experience of distress. In literature, it is used to characterize a protagonist's internal conflict, reflecting a state of existential unease rather than just a simple reaction to a specific event.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Worried means feeling anxious about a problem.
- It is an adjective.
- Commonly used with 'about'.
- Very useful for expressing feelings.
When you are worried, your mind is stuck on a problem or a future event that makes you feel uneasy. It is a very common human emotion that happens when we are uncertain about what will happen next.
You might feel worried about an upcoming test, a health issue, or even a friend who is late. It is a natural reaction to stress, signaling that we care about the outcome of a situation. Understanding this word helps you express your feelings more clearly to others.
The word worried comes from the Old English word wyrgan, which actually meant 'to strangle' or 'to choke'. This is a fascinating bit of history because it perfectly captures the physical sensation of anxiety!
Over centuries, the meaning shifted from the physical act of strangling to the mental act of 'strangling' or 'harassing' someone with thoughts. By the 16th century, it evolved into the modern sense of feeling troubled or anxious. It is related to the German word würgen, which still carries the meaning of choking.
You use worried to describe how someone feels or looks. It is most commonly used with the preposition 'about' (e.g., 'I am worried about the weather').
In casual conversation, we often say 'I'm worried sick' to emphasize a high level of concern. In formal writing, you might see it used in business contexts, such as 'The management is worried about declining sales.' It is a versatile word that fits almost any register.
1. Worried sick: To be extremely anxious. Example: She was worried sick when her cat didn't come home.
2. Bite your nails: A physical sign of being worried. Example: Stop biting your nails; everything will be fine!
3. On edge: Feeling nervous and unable to relax. Example: I've been on edge all day waiting for the results.
4. Butterflies in your stomach: Feeling nervous or excited. Example: I had butterflies in my stomach before the big speech.
5. Lose sleep over something: To worry so much it affects your rest. Example: Don't lose sleep over a minor mistake.
Worried is an adjective, so it usually follows a linking verb like 'is', 'am', 'are', or 'was'. It can also be used as a participle in phrases like 'The worried student studied all night.'
Pronunciation is /ˈwɜːrid/ in British English and /ˈwɜːrid/ in American English. The stress is on the first syllable. It rhymes with 'hurried' and 'flurried'.
Fun Fact
It originally meant to physically choke someone!
Pronunciation Guide
Sounds like 'whur-rid'.
Similar to UK, clear 'r' sounds.
Common Errors
- Mispronouncing as 'war-ried'
- Stressing the second syllable
- Dropping the 'r' sound
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Very easy to read.
Simple to use in sentences.
Common in daily speech.
Very common in media.
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Adjective usage
I am happy/worried.
Prepositional phrases
worried about
Participle adjectives
worried/worrying
Examples by Level
I am worried.
I feel nervous.
Subject + verb + adjective.
She is worried about the exam.
Are you worried?
He looks very worried today.
I was worried about you.
Don't be worried.
They are worried about money.
We are worried about the rain.
I feel worried.
She is worried about her future.
I am worried that I might be late.
He is worried sick about his job.
Don't get yourself worried over nothing.
The parents are worried about their children.
I am worried about the outcome.
Are you worried about the meeting?
He seems worried about the news.
The government is worried about the inflation rate.
I am deeply worried about the environmental impact.
She was worried that the plan would fail.
He is perpetually worried about his reputation.
They are worried about the potential consequences.
I'm worried about how this will affect us.
She's worried about the security of the data.
Don't be too worried about the minor details.
The CEO expressed that she was worried about the long-term viability of the project.
He was worried that his silence might be misinterpreted.
The community is worried about the rapid changes in the neighborhood.
I am worried that we are reaching a point of no return.
She is worried about the implications of the new policy.
He seems worried about the potential for conflict.
They are worried that the evidence is insufficient.
I am worried about the lack of transparency.
The diplomat was worried about the precarious nature of the negotiations.
She was worried that her legacy might be tarnished by the scandal.
He was worried that the existential threat was being ignored.
The professor was worried about the erosion of academic standards.
They were worried about the philosophical implications of the discovery.
I am worried that the system is fundamentally flawed.
She was worried about the repercussions of her decision.
He was worried that the truth would remain elusive.
Common Collocations
Idioms & Expressions
"worried sick"
extremely anxious
I was worried sick when you didn't call.
casual"on edge"
nervous
He's been on edge all day.
neutral"butterflies in stomach"
nervous feeling
I had butterflies in my stomach.
casual"lose sleep over"
worry excessively
Don't lose sleep over it.
neutral"bite your nails"
show anxiety
Stop biting your nails!
casual"have a lot on one's mind"
thinking about many problems
Sorry, I have a lot on my mind.
neutralEasily Confused
Similar root
Worrying is the cause; worried is the effect.
The news is worrying; I am worried.
Similar meaning
Anxious can also imply excitement.
I am anxious to start.
Similar meaning
Concerned is more formal.
The manager is concerned.
Similar feeling
Nervous is usually about a specific event.
I am nervous for the test.
Sentence Patterns
Subject + be + worried + about + noun
I am worried about the test.
Subject + be + worried + that + clause
She is worried that it will rain.
Subject + look + worried
You look worried.
Subject + be + worried + to + verb
I am worried to ask.
Subject + be + deeply + worried
He is deeply worried.
Word Family
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Related
How to Use It
9/10
Formality Scale
Common Mistakes
Worry is a verb; worried is the adjective.
Use 'about' for the cause of worry.
Adjective required after 'is'.
Worrying describes the cause, worried describes the feeling.
Worryingly is an adverb.
Tips
Memory Palace Trick
Imagine a worried person in your kitchen.
When Native Speakers Use It
When expressing empathy.
Cultural Insight
It is okay to admit being worried.
Grammar Shortcut
Use 'about' after it.
Say It Right
Rhymes with 'hurried'.
Don't Make This Mistake
Don't use 'worry' as an adjective.
Did You Know?
It meant 'choke' long ago.
Study Smart
Use it in a diary entry.
Register
It fits everywhere.
Verb Patterns
Follow with 'that' clause.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
W-O-R-R-Y: Will Our Real Results Yield?
Visual Association
A person pacing back and forth biting their nails.
Word Web
Challenge
Write three sentences about things you are worried about.
Word Origin
Old English
Original meaning: To strangle or choke
Cultural Context
None, very neutral word.
Commonly used in daily life to express empathy.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
At work
- worried about the deadline
- worried about the project
- worried about the budget
At school
- worried about the exam
- worried about grades
- worried about homework
Travel
- worried about the flight
- worried about losing my passport
- worried about the weather
Health
- worried about the results
- worried about the pain
- worried about the symptoms
Conversation Starters
"What is something you are currently worried about?"
"How do you deal with feeling worried?"
"Do you think it is normal to be worried before a big event?"
"Have you ever been worried about a friend?"
"What advice would you give to someone who is worried?"
Journal Prompts
Write about a time you were worried and how you overcame it.
List three things that make you feel worried.
Describe what your body feels like when you are worried.
How can you help someone who is clearly worried?
Frequently Asked Questions
8 questionsNo, it is an adjective or past participle.
No, that is grammatically incorrect.
Worried is how you feel; worrying is what causes the feeling.
Yes, it is perfectly acceptable in professional contexts.
Usually 'about'.
No, usually only for people or animals.
It describes a negative feeling, but it is a neutral vocabulary word.
W-O-R-R-I-E-D.
Test Yourself
I am ___ about the exam.
Worried fits the context of an exam.
Which word is a synonym for worried?
Anxious means the same as worried.
Is 'worry' an adjective?
Worry is a verb or noun; worried is the adjective.
Word
Meaning
Idioms match their meanings.
Subject + verb + adj + prep + object.
Score: /5
Summary
Worried is the perfect word to describe the common human feeling of being concerned about the future.
- Worried means feeling anxious about a problem.
- It is an adjective.
- Commonly used with 'about'.
- Very useful for expressing feelings.
Memory Palace Trick
Imagine a worried person in your kitchen.
When Native Speakers Use It
When expressing empathy.
Cultural Insight
It is okay to admit being worried.
Grammar Shortcut
Use 'about' after it.
Example
I am worried about my English exam tomorrow.
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See it in Videos
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"I am worried about my English exam tomorrow."
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"I am worried about my English exam tomorrow."
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"I am worried about my English exam tomorrow."
This Word in Other Languages
Related Phrases
More Emotions words
abanimfy
C1A collective psychological state characterized by a profound loss of vitality, spirit, or motivation within a specific group or community. It describes the stagnation that occurs when a social structure or organization loses its shared sense of purpose and creative energy.
abanimize
C1The systematic process of neutralizing or stripping away emotional intensity from a situation to achieve a state of detached objectivity. It is primarily used to describe a mental state where complex human sentiments are reduced to manageable, clinical facts to avoid personal bias.
abhor
C1To feel a strong sense of horror, disgust, or intense hatred toward something. It is a formal verb used to describe a deep-seated moral or emotional repulsion.
abminity
C1To regard something with intense loathing or extreme disgust; to treat an object or idea as an abomination. It is used in high-level contexts to describe a profound moral or aesthetic aversion toward an action or concept.
abmotine
C1Describes a state of being emotionally detached or lacking intrinsic motivation, often characterized by a cold, clinical, or indifferent stance. It is used to denote a specific lack of movement or response to external emotional stimuli.
abominable
C1Causing a feeling of hatred or disgust; very unpleasant or disagreeable. It often describes something morally repulsive or extremely bad in quality.
abphilous
C1To consciously withdraw or distance oneself from a previous affinity, attraction, or emotional attachment. It involves a systematic effort to break a psychological bond in order to achieve a state of neutrality or objectivity.
absedhood
C1Describing a state of being profoundly detached or emotionally withdrawn from one's surroundings or social responsibilities. It refers to a specific condition of intense, often self-imposed, isolation or a lack of interest in external affairs.
abvidness
C1The quality or state of being intensely eager, enthusiastic, or consumed by a particular interest or desire. It represents a level of dedication and spirited engagement that often goes beyond standard enthusiasm, typical of scholars, collectors, or hobbyists.
adacrty
C1Alacrity refers to a cheerful readiness, promptness, or willingness to do something. It describes not only the speed of an action but also the positive and enthusiastic attitude of the person performing it.
