Worried

Definition

Worried is an adjective and verb. As an adjective, it describes a state of being anxious, concerned, or uneasy about something. As a verb, it is the past tense of "worry," meaning to feel anxiety or concern.

Parts of Speech

• Adjective
• Verb (past tense)

Pronunciation

American English

• IPA Pronunciation: /ˈwɜːr.id/
• Respelling: WUR-eed

British English

• IPA Pronunciation: /ˈwʌr.id/
• Respelling: WUH-reed

Etymology

The word "worried" originates from the Old English "wyrgan," meaning "to strangle" or "to choke," later evolving in Middle English to mean "to harass" or "disturb." The modern sense of mental anxiety appeared in the 16th century.

Derivatives

• Worry (noun/verb)
• Worrisome (adjective)
• Unworried (adjective)
• Overworry (noun/verb, rare)
• Worriedly (adverb)

Synonyms

• Anxious
• Concerned
• Uneasy

Antonyms

• Calm
• Carefree
• Relaxed

Usage

The adjective "worried" is often used to describe a person's state of mind: "She was worried about the exam results." As a verb, it refers to the past action of experiencing concern: "He worried about his family during the storm."

Related Terms

• Anxiety: A feeling of unease or worry.
• Concern: A matter that causes worry or interest.
• Nervousness: A state of being tense or anxious.

Detailed Definitions

Adjective

• Feeling anxious or concerned: Describes a state of unease about a situation or outcome.
  • Example: "She looked worried about her son's safety."
• Preoccupied with potential problems: Refers to being mentally occupied by concerns.
  • Example: "He seemed worried about his presentation at work."

Verb (past tense)

• To have experienced anxiety or concern: Refers to feeling uneasy or disturbed in the past.
  • Example: "They worried about the financial implications of the decision."