anxiety
C1 (Upper-Intermediate / Advanced)Neutral to formal. Common in everyday, academic, clinical, and news discourse.
Definition
Meaning
A feeling of worry, nervousness, or unease, typically about an imminent event or something with an uncertain outcome.
1. A clinical condition characterised by excessive and persistent worry, along with physical symptoms. 2. A strong desire or eagerness to do something, often mixed with apprehension. 3. A state of generalised apprehension in psychoanalytic theory.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Can refer to both a transient emotional state ("feeling of anxiety") and a chronic condition ("suffers from anxiety"). The second meaning of "eagerness" (e.g., anxiety to please) is now somewhat literary or dated but still understood.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No major lexical differences. Clinical terminology (Generalised Anxiety Disorder, GAD) is identical.
Connotations
Slightly more clinical/medical connotation in AmE, though still widely used in general contexts. The spelling of related terms differs (e.g., AmE 'anxiousness' is rarer, BrE uses it more).
Frequency
Very high frequency in both varieties, with a slight increase in public discourse in AmE regarding mental health.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
anxiety about [noun/gerund] (anxiety about the future)anxiety over [noun] (anxiety over money)anxiety for [someone] (anxiety for her safety)anxiety to [infinitive] (his anxiety to succeed was obvious)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Nail-biting anxiety”
- “On tenterhooks (with anxiety)”
- “A bundle of nerves”
- “To have kittens (BrE, informal)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Market anxiety over interest rate hikes caused the sell-off.
Academic
The study measured cortisol levels as a biomarker of anxiety in the test subjects.
Everyday
I always get a bit of anxiety before a big trip, checking I've packed everything.
Technical
The patient meets the DSM-5 criteria for Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD).
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The uncertain weather was beginning to anxiety him. (rare/poetic)
American English
- The situation doesn't anxiety me; I'm used to it. (rare/non-standard)
adverb
British English
- He waited anxiously by the phone.
- She glanced anxiously out the window.
American English
- They looked on anxiously as the fire spread.
- He tapped his foot anxiously.
adjective
British English
- The anxious wait for the results lasted hours.
- He gave an anxious glance at the clock.
American English
- She felt anxious before her job interview.
- The anxious parents called the school.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- She feels anxiety before her first day at a new school.
- His anxiety about the test was clear.
- Financial problems are a common cause of anxiety for many families.
- He tried to hide his anxiety with a smile.
- The constant media coverage of the crisis is fuelling public anxiety.
- Her anxiety manifests itself as a difficulty in concentrating.
- The government's opaque policies have sown deep-seated anxiety among investors.
- Post-pandemic, there's been a discernible shift in societal anxiety towards health and job security.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
ANXIety feels like an ANX (like 'anks') is tightening in your chest, making you uneasy (ety).
Conceptual Metaphor
ANXIETY IS A BURDEN (carry the weight of anxiety), ANXIETY IS A CAPTIVE ANIMAL (bottled-up anxiety), ANXIETY IS A LIQUID (flooded with anxiety).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid using 'anxiety' for the milder 'беспокойство' (use 'worry'). 'Anxiety' is stronger. For 'тревога' in non-clinical contexts, 'worry' or 'concern' may be more natural.
- The Russian borrowing 'анксиозность' is a false friend; it's a highly clinical term. Use 'anxiety' or 'anxiousness'.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'anxious' as a noun (*I have an anxious*). It's an adjective. Use 'anxiety'.
- Confusing 'anxious' (=worried) with 'eager' (=keen). While 'anxious to see you' can mean 'eager', it often carries a worried tone.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following sentences uses 'anxiety' in its older, literary sense?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not exactly. Stress is often a reaction to an external pressure or demand, while anxiety is the internal feeling of worry, dread, or unease that can occur with or without an obvious stressor. Stress can cause anxiety.
In its core meaning, it's generally negative. However, mild anxiety can be motivating (e.g., anxiety about a performance can make you prepare better). The secondary meaning of 'eagerness' (anxiety to help) is positive but less common.
Fear is typically a direct, immediate response to a known, present threat (e.g., fear of a snarling dog). Anxiety is more diffuse, future-oriented, and often involves a sense of uncertainty or helplessness (e.g., anxiety about climate change).
'Anxiety' is by far the more common noun. 'Anxiousness' is grammatically correct but less frequent and can sometimes sound slightly awkward or redundant. Stick with 'anxiety' for the feeling or condition.
Collections
Part of a collection
Health and Wellness
B1 · 49 words · Physical and mental health vocabulary.
Psychology Basics
B2 · 50 words · Fundamental concepts in human psychology.