/ ˈwʌri; NAmE ˈwɜːri/ verb , noun
■ verb ( wor·ries , worry·ing , wor·ried , wor·ried )
1.
worry (about / over sb/sth) to keep thinking about unpleasant things that might happen or about problems that you have :
[ v ]
Don't worry . We have plenty of time.
Don't worry about me. I'll be all right.
He's always worrying about his weight.
There's no point in worrying over things you can't change.
[ v ( that )]
I worry that I won't get into college.
2.
worry sb / yourself (about sb/sth) to make sb/yourself anxious about sb/sth :
[ vn ]
What worries me is how I am going to get another job.
[ vn - adj ]
He's worried himself sick (= become extremely anxious) about his daughter.
[ vn that ]
It worries me that he hasn't come home yet.
[also vn to inf ]
3.
[ vn ] worry sb (with sth) to annoy or disturb sb :
The noise never seems to worry her.
Don't keep worrying him with a lot of silly questions.
4.
[ vn ] ( of a dog ) to attack animals, especially sheep, by chasing and/or biting them
•
IDIOMS
- not to worry
•
PHRASAL VERBS
- worry at sth
■ noun ( pl. -ies )
1.
[ U ] the state of worrying about sth
SYN anxiety :
The threat of losing their jobs is a constant source of worry to them.
to be frantic with worry
2.
[ C ] worry (about / over sth) | worry (for / to sb) something that worries you :
family / financial worries
worries about the future
Mugging is a real worry for many old people.
My only worry is that ...
•
IDIOMS
- no worries!
••
WORD ORIGIN
Old English wyrgan strangle , of West Germanic origin. In Middle English the original sense of the verb gave rise to the meaning seize by the throat and tear , later figuratively harass , which led to the sense cause anxiety to (early 19th century, the date also of the noun).