Anxiety Meaning
/ˌæŋ(ɡ)ˈzaɪ̯ɪti/Definition, CEFR level C1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounAn unpleasant state of mental uneasiness, nervousness, apprehension and obsession or concern about some uncertain event.
nounAn uneasy or distressing desire (for something). Endeavor (to please).
Sentence Examples
The news added to his anxiety.
The boy got sick from anxiety.
Valium is usually prescribed to treat anxiety.
CEFR Practice Quiz
Her ____ about the exam caused her to lose sleep and feel constantly nervous.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
Public speaking causes a lot of ____ for many people before a big event.
Word Origin & History
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.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"The inquest on keeper Davidson was duly held, and at the commencement seemed likely to cause Tony Palliser less anxiety than he had expected."
— 1907 January, Harold Bindloss, chapter 4, in The Dust of Conflict, 1st Canadian edition, Toronto, Ont.: McLeod & Allen, →OCLC:
"But the other, because he's been immersed in arguments, gives the appearance of harbouring considerable anxiety and suspicion that he's ignorant of those matters he presents himself to others as an expert on."
— 2005, Plato, translated by Lesley Brown, Sophist, page 268a:
"My anxiety is a part of me, one that I’ve had to learn to deal with."
— 2022 May 25, Mara Wilson, “‘Anxiety is part of me’: Mara Wilson and other anxious minds on how they cope”, in The Guardian:
Explore More C1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
Her ____ about the exam caused her to lose sleep and feel constantly nervous.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
Public speaking causes a lot of ____ for many people before a big event.