worry
UK: ˈwʌr.i | US: ˈwɜːr.i
v. to feel anxious or troubled about actual or potential problems
v. to harass or bother persistently
n. a state of anxiety or unease
n. a cause of anxiety
worry = worr<to strangle, to seize by the throat> + y<verb-forming suffix>
- worr: Derived from Old English wyrgan ("to strangle"), originally describing physical choking or gnawing (e.g., by animals). Over time, it evolved metaphorically to mean mental distress.
- y: A common verb-forming suffix in Middle English.
Etymology Origin:
The word "worry" began as a violent physical action—literally, "to choke" or "to gnaw" (like a dog worrying a bone). By the 17th century, it shifted to describe psychological torment, reflecting how anxiety "chokes" the mind. This vivid metaphor captures the suffocating nature of stress.
She began to worry when her son didn’t return home on time.
The dog worries the toy until it falls apart.
Financial instability is a constant worry for many families.
Don’t worry about small mistakes; focus on improving.
His mother’s illness weighs on him like a silent worry.