What is worried? Pronunciation and usage in English

worried means . Learn how to pronounce and use worried through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of worried

worriedadjective

/ˈwʌrɪd/
Definition & pronunciation of worried

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "worried" in English. It's a tricky one for many learners! Here's a breakdown:

1. The Basic Sound:

  • "wor": This part sounds like "war" but with a slightly drawn-out "r". Think of the "r" being a bit softer and quicker than a full, American "r." It's almost like you're starting the "war" sound, but don't fully complete it.
  • "ried": This is the trickiest part. It's pronounced like "reed" but with an "i" sound. It's a short, crisp "ee" sound as in "see."

2. Putting it Together:

So, it's roughly: "war-reed"

3. Key Tips and Nuances:

  • The “r” is soft: Don’t overemphasize the 'r'. It blends into the ‘i’ sound.
  • Short “i” in “ried”: Make sure it’s a short “ee” sound, not a long “eye” sound. Think “reed” not “read”.
  • Stress: The stress is on the first syllable – “WOR.”

4. Listen to Examples:

The best way to learn is to hear it:

  • Google: Search "how to pronounce worried" on Google and click the speaker icon. You'll hear multiple native speakers pronounce it.
  • Forvo: https://forvo.com/word/worried/ - Forvo is a website where native speakers record pronunciations of words.
  • YouTube: Search YouTube for videos demonstrating how to pronounce "worried".

To help me give you even more targeted advice, could you tell me:

  • Where are you from? (e.g., UK, USA, Australia) Pronunciation can vary slightly between different English dialects.

Usage and examples with the word worried in English

Let's break down how to use the word "worried" in English! It's a common word, but understanding its nuances is important.

1. Basic Meaning:

  • "Worried" primarily means feeling anxious or uneasy about something that might happen. It’s about a feeling of concern, apprehension, or nervousness.

2. Common Sentence Structures:

  • "I am worried about..." (This is the most common way to express it.)
    • Example: "I am worried about my exam tomorrow."
    • Example: "She is worried about her sick dog."
  • "I'm worried that..." (Similar to above, often used to introduce a specific fear)
    • Example: "I’m worried that I’ll fail the test."
  • "I worry about..." (This is a more general statement about a recurring concern)
    • Example: "I worry about my parents’ health."
  • "He/She/They are worried." (A simple statement of the feeling)
    • Example: "He is worried about the upcoming storm."

3. Different Levels of Worry:

  • Mild Worry: A small, casual concern.
    • Example: "I'm a little worried about the traffic on the way to the airport."
  • Moderate Worry: A noticeable concern, but not overwhelming.
    • Example: "I’m worried about finding a job after graduation."
  • Severe Worry/Anxiety: A strong, persistent feeling of worry that can be distressing. This can be related to a more serious condition.
    • Example: "She was so worried and couldn’t sleep." (Suggests a significant level of anxiety)

4. Synonyms (Words with similar meanings):

Using synonyms can help you vary your language:

  • Anxious: (Similar to worried, often stronger) “She felt anxious about the presentation.”
  • Concerned: (A more neutral way of saying worried) “I’m concerned about the rising cost of living.”
  • Apprehensive: (Feeling worry about something that might happen) "He was apprehensive about meeting her parents."
  • Uneasy: (A general feeling of discomfort or worry) "I felt uneasy about the dark alley."
  • Nervous: (Often linked with worry, especially before an event) "I was nervous before my job interview."

5. Phrases Using "Worried":

  • "Worried sick": Extremely worried.
    • Example: "He was worried sick about his lost child."
  • "Don’t worry": A comforting phrase.
    • Example: "Don’t worry, everything will be okay."
  • "I worry about…” (followed by a situation): Expressing a general concern.
    • Example: “I worry about the environment.”

6. Grammar Notes:

  • "Worried" is an adjective. It describes how someone feels. It can also be used as a verb (to worry).
    • Example (adjective): "She is a worried person."
    • Example (verb): "I worry about my sister’s studies."

To help me give you even more tailored advice, could you tell me:

  • What kind of context are you thinking about? (e.g., writing a story, a conversation, an email?)
  • Are there any specific situations where you're trying to use the word "worried"?

Synonyms for the word worried

Idioms of the word worried

you had me worried
(informal)used to tell somebody that you were worried because you had not understood what they had said correctly
  • You had me worried for a moment—I thought you were going to resign!

Practice with vocabulary worried

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. The board of directors was deeply ______ about the potential breach of customer data, leading to an emergency meeting.
  2. Despite the challenging economic climate, the team remained ______ about achieving their sales targets for the next fiscal year.
  3. Many employees are quite ______ that the new AI-powered system might eventually replace some of their current job functions.
  4. After several hours of intense negotiations, both parties finally reached a ______ agreement on the terms of the merger.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. The project manager was clearly _______ about the tight deadline and the lack of resources. a) nonchalant b) apprehensive c) unconcerned d) worried

  2. Despite her colleagues' reassurances, she felt a persistent _______ about presenting her research findings to such a critical audience. a) enthusiasm b) peace c) unease d) excitement

  3. The senior executive became visibly _______ when the quarterly financial report revealed unexpected losses. a) elated b) worried c) delighted d) thrilled

  4. The team members were quite _______ that their innovative proposal would be approved by the committee. a) dubious b) pessimistic c) confident d) hesitant

  5. The recent cybersecurity threat left many IT professionals _______ about the vulnerability of their networks. a) perplexed b) untroubled c) anxious d) worried

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The sudden drop in sales made the marketing team very uneasy. (Rewrite using "worried")
  2. I am constantly thinking about the upcoming presentation, feeling a lot of stress. (Rewrite using "worrying" or "worried")
  3. His calm demeanor during the crisis was quite impressive to everyone. (Rewrite using a suitable replacement word for "calm" that is not "worried")

Answer:

Exercise 1:

  1. worried
  2. optimistic
  3. worried
  4. mutual

Exercise 2:

  1. b) apprehensive, d) worried
  2. c) unease
  3. b) worried
  4. c) confident
  5. c) anxious, d) worried

Exercise 3:

  1. The sudden drop in sales made the marketing team very worried.
  2. I am constantly worrying about the upcoming presentation, which is causing me a lot of stress.
  3. His composed demeanor during the crisis was quite impressive to everyone.

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