Definition from Wiktionary, a free dictionary

English

Etymology

Old English wyrġan. Cognate with German würgen ‘strangle’.

Pronunciation

• (RP) IPA: /ˈwʌri/
• (US) IPA: /ˈwɜːri/
•  Audio (US)^{help, file}

  Rhymes: -ʌri

Verb

to worry (third-person singular simple present worries, present participle worrying, simple past and past participle worried)

1. (transitive) To seize or shake by the throat, especially of a dog or wolf.

   Your dog’s been worrying sheep again.

2. (transitive) To harass; to irritate or distress.

   The President was worried into military action by persistent advisors.

3. (transitive) Disturb the peace of mind of; afflict with mental agitation or distress.

   Your tone of voice worries me.

4. (intransitive) To be troubled, to give way to mental anxiety.

   Stop worrying about your test, it’ll be fine.

5. (transitive, obsolete, except in Scots) To strangle.

Translations

Noun

worry (plural worries)

1. A strong feeling of anxiety.

   I'm afflicted by worry throughout the night.

2. An instance or cause of such a feeling.

   My main worry is that I'll miss the train.

Derived terms

• worried
• worrisome

Translations

Scots

Verb

worry

1. (transitive) To strangle.