worry
/ˈwʌri/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈwɜːri/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈwər-ē ˈwə-rē/ (ame, mw) · /ˈwʌr.i/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈwɝː.i/ (ame, ipa)
worry — verb
- worrypresent simple I / you / we / they
- worrieshe / she / it
- worriedpast simple
- worrying-ing form
1. to spend time thinking about things that might go wrong or cause difficulty, whi
to spend time thinking about things that might go wrong or cause difficulty, which makes you feel nervous or upset
Tanvi worries about her exams every night before she goes to sleep.
worry + about + thing
Stop worrying — the train will arrive in a few minutes.
imperative: Stop + -ing
Mizuki worried that her parents would be angry about the broken window.
There is no point worrying about things you cannot change.
The doctor told Christopher not to worry about the test results.
- relax
to stop feeling worried and become calm
文法句型
worry + about + thing
worry + that-clause
用法筆記
Subject is a person who feels anxious. The thing causing the anxiety follows 'about' or appears in a that-clause.
常見錯誤
2. to cause someone to feel nervous or concerned about something that has happened
to cause someone to feel nervous or concerned about something that has happened or might happen
The rising cost of rent worries Sophia a great deal.
thing + worries + person
It worries Anya that her son spends so much time alone in his room.
It worries + person + that-clause
The warning about the coming storm worried the whole village.
Nothing seems to worry Cyrus — he stays calm no matter what happens.
- reassure
to make someone feel less worried or anxious
文法句型
worry + person
It worries + person + that-clause
用法筆記
Subject is usually a situation, event, or fact that triggers anxiety. The worried person is the direct object. 'It worries me that…' is a very common construction.
常見錯誤
3. to bother someone repeatedly by asking many questions, making requests, or givin
to bother someone repeatedly by asking many questions, making requests, or giving unwanted attention
The little girl worried her father with endless questions about how birds fly.
worry + person + with + questions
Stop worrying the cat — she is tired and wants to sleep.
worry + animal (object)
Apinya worried the receptionist by calling four times to ask about the same form.
Mr. Okonkwo worried the technician with phone calls every hour until the internet was fixed.
文法句型
worry + person + with + thing
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 1 (FEEL ANXIOUS): here the subject deliberately pesters someone, not 'keeps thinking about problems'. The object is the person or animal being bothered.
常見錯誤
4. when a dog chases a farm animal, especially a sheep, and bites or snaps at it, o
when a dog chases a farm animal, especially a sheep, and bites or snaps at it, often causing injury or distress
The farmer's dog worried the sheep until two of them ran into the river.
dog + worries + livestock
A loose dog was worrying cattle in the field near the highway last night.
The farmer found his own dog worrying the chickens early this morning.
The landowner warned that any dog caught worrying sheep would be reported to the police.
文法句型
dog + worries + animal
用法筆記
Almost exclusively used for dogs chasing livestock, especially sheep. Does not apply to wild predator attacks. In some legal contexts, a farmer can shoot a dog found worrying sheep.
worry — noun
- worrysingular
- worriesplural
1. a problem or difficult situation causing someone to feel anxious or unhappy
a problem or difficult situation causing someone to feel anxious or unhappy
Money is Rachid's biggest worry at the moment.
biggest / main + worry
The Watanabe family's main worry is finding a new apartment before their lease ends.
possessive + main worry
Paloma shared her financial worries with the bank manager during the meeting.
One less worry for Theo — his visa application was approved this morning.
文法句型
possessive + worry
someone's + worry
用法筆記
Countable — you can have 'worries' (multiple problems). Often used with 'main', 'biggest', 'financial', 'little'.
常見錯誤
2. the feeling of being nervous or anxious because you keep thinking about somethin
the feeling of being nervous or anxious because you keep thinking about something that might go wrong
Worry kept Tanvi awake all night before the job interview.
Worry + kept + person + awake
Aarav could see the worry on his mother's face when he came home late.
see + worry + on + face
There is growing worry among parents about how much time children spend online.
The worry in her voice was clear when she called after the earthquake.
- calm
a state of being free from worry or anxiety
- peace of mind
a feeling of being free from worry
文法句型
full of worry
cause + worry
with + worry
用法筆記
Most commonly uncountable ('a feeling of worry'). The countable form ('a worry') is rare for this sense — see sense 1 (CAUSE OF WORRY) for countable use referring to a specific problem.
常見錯誤
3. a friendly phrase people say to show that a mistake or accident is not important
a friendly phrase people say to show that a mistake or accident is not important and the other person should not apologise
'I am sorry I broke your pen.' 'No worries — it was old anyway.'
No worries — apology response
Rachid forgot to bring the book, but Christopher said, 'No worries, bring it tomorrow.'
'The bus is delayed by twenty minutes.' 'No worries, we still have plenty of time.'
Sivan split coffee on the tablecloth and apologised, but Paloma said, 'No worries, it happens.'
- it's fine
slightly more neutral, works in both formal and informal contexts
- don't worry about it
more explicit, slightly more formal than 'no worries'
用法筆記
Fixed phrase — only used in the exact form 'No worries'. Very common in informal spoken English. Not used in formal writing.
4. a friendly, informal reply after someone has expressed gratitude for a favour or
a friendly, informal reply after someone has expressed gratitude for a favour or service you provided
'Thanks for helping me move the sofa.' 'No worries — happy to help.'
No worries — response to thanks
Paloma said 'No worries' when Theo thanked her for driving him to the airport.
'Thanks for watering my plants.' 'No worries — they look lovely.'
'Thanks for the lift to the station.' 'No worries — glad I could help.'
- you're welcome
neutral register, suitable for any situation
- my pleasure
slightly more formal and polite
- don't mention it
warmer, suggests the help was no trouble
用法筆記
Only used in informal spoken English. More formal alternatives include 'You are welcome' and 'My pleasure'.
5. a friendly phrase used to show you are happy to help with something someone need
a friendly phrase used to show you are happy to help with something someone needs, or that the task is easy
'Could you check this report for me?' 'No worries, I will do it right now.'
No worries — willingness to help
The librarian smiled and said, 'No worries, I will find that book for you.'
'Please save a seat for me.' 'No worries, I will keep one near the front.'
When Cyrus asked Apinya to proofread his letter, she said, 'No worries, send it over.'
用法筆記
Only used in informal spoken English. Often followed by a statement confirming what you will do ('No worries, I'll…').