Worry
/ˈwɜːr.i/noun
To feel anxious or troubled about something.
Did you know?The Old English root of 'worry' relates to 'to strangle' or 'to choke,' reflecting how our fears can bind us tightly.
Etymological Timeline
Old English
OE
wyrgan
“To strangle, choke, or cause distress.”
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
wurgōną
“To strangle or suffocate.”
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*werǵ-
“To twist or to turn, often associated with affliction.”
Middle English
ME
woryen
“To harass or trouble oneself with thoughts.”
Modern English
Eng
worry
“To feel anxious or troubled about something.”