anxiety

Forms

Plural: anxieties

Definitions

1.An unpleasant state of mental uneasiness, nervousness, apprehension and obsession or concern about some uncertain event.
- She felt a wave of anxiety before the interview.
- The inquest on keeper Davidson was duly held, and at the commencement seemed likely to cause Tony Palliser less anxiety than he had expected.
- He suffers from social anxiety.
2.An uneasy or distressing desire (for something). Endeavor (to please).
3.A state of restlessness and agitation, often accompanied by a distressing sense of oppression or tightness in the stomach.
4.Any anxiety disorder, especially generalized anxiety disorder.(informal)
- My anxiety is a part of me, one that I’ve had to learn to deal with.

Frequency

Overall

Uncommon· #2673

By learning goal

Everyday conversation: Rare
General reading & writing: Uncommon
Academic: Uncommon
Literature: Rare

Etymology

Borrowed from Latin ānxietās, from ānxius (“anxious, solicitous, distressed, troubled”), from angō (“to distress, trouble”), akin to Ancient Greek ἄγχω (ánkhō, “to choke”).

Equivalent to anxious + -ety.

See anger; angst.