worry

1 verb

1 BE ANXIOUS (I) to be anxious or unhappy about something so that you think about it a lot

(+ about): You've really got no need to worry about your weight. | worry that: He's worried that he might lose his job. (+ over): Dad worries over the slightest thing.

2 don't worry spoken

a) used when you are trying to make someone feel less anxious: Don't worry, darling, Daddy's here.

b) used to tell someone that they do not need to do something: Don't worry about sorting them out - I'll do it later.

c) used to tell someone that you will definitely do something: Oh don't worry, I'll get my own back on him somehow!

3 MAKE SB ANXIOUS (T) to make someone feel anxious about something: The recent changes in the Earth's climate are beginning to worry scientists. | worry sb that: Doesn't it worry you that Sarah spends so much time away from home? | worry yourself (=feel anxious, especially when there is no need to)

4 not to worry BrE spoken used to say that something is not important: Not to worry, we can always go another time.

5 nothing to worry about spoken used to tell someone that something is not as serious or difficult as they think: It's just a routine check-up - nothing to worry about.

6 have enough to worry about spoken used to say that someone already has a lot of problems or is very busy: I don't think we should tell Mum about this - she's got enough to worry about as it is.

7 ANNOY (T) to annoy someone: worry sb with sth: Stop worrying your grandfather with all those questions.

8 ANIMAL (T) if a dog worries sheep, it tries to bite or kill them

worry at sth/sb phrasal verb (T)

1 if an animal worries at a bone or piece of meat, it bites and shakes it

2 if you worry at a problem, you think about it a lot in order to try and find a solution: Jez was never happy unless he was worrying at some problem.

2 noun

1 (C) a problem that you are anxious about or are not sure how to deal with: My main worry is how the divorce will affect the kids. | financial worries

(+ about): We've got no more worries about the schedule at the moment. | be a worry to/for sb: Money was always a big worry for us.

2 (U) the feeling of being anxious about something: The missing child's parents were frantic with worry.

3 no worries spoken used to agree to what someone wants and to say that it will be no problem: Can you deliver on Thursday? Yeah, no worries, mate.