Worried Meaning: Feeling Anxious – Examples & Usage

Meaning 1：feeling anxious (Worried)

Worried 🔊

/ˈwʌrid/

adj

Feeling nervous or unhappy because you think something bad might happen.

Worried person frowning at phone with thought bubbles of question marks and clocks

feeling anxious 🔊

➕

/ˈfiːlɪŋ ˈæŋkʃəs/

adj

The state of being mentally disturbed or uneasy due to fear of possible negative outcomes.

📁 Category：Physical & Mental Health 🔖 Level：primary

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From 'worry' (Old English 'wyrgan' to strangle) + -ed (past participle).

💡 Mnemonic

'Worried' = 'war' + 'ried' (like 'ridden'): ridden by mental war.

📖 Example

My mom was worried when I came home late from school, so she called my teacher to check. 🔊 My mom was worried when I came home late from school, so she called my teacher to check.

🔗 Collocations

worried about – feeling anxiety regarding something

worried sick – extremely anxious to the point of illness

worried expression – a facial look showing concern

🔄 Synonyms

anxious (adj) – experiencing nervousness, typically about something uncertain

concerned (adj) – worried or troubled, especially about a particular issue

uneasy (adj) – feeling anxious or awkward; not relaxed

🚫 Antonyms

calm (adj) – not feeling or showing anxiety

relaxed (adj) – free from tension and anxiety

confident (adj) – feeling sure of oneself; without worry

🌱 Derivatives

worry (v./n.) – to feel anxious; a state of anxiety

worrying (adj.) – causing anxiety

worrisome (adj.) – causing or tending to cause worry

📖 Cultural Story

Originally meant 'to strangle' in Old English; evolved to mean 'to cause mental distress' by the 16th century, reflecting the choking sensation of anxiety.