The Meaning of Anxious: What It Is and How To Use It

Do you know the definition of anxious? This article will provide you with all of the information you need on the word anxious, including its definition, usage, word origin, example sentences, and more!

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What does the word anxious mean?

According to the American Heritage Unabridged Dictionary of the English Language as well as Collins English Dictionary, the word anxious is an adjective that means characterized by uneasiness, nervousness or anguish. This sort of mental distress can also be classified as a mental disorder. Such use of this word can reference anxiety disorders which could include panic disorder, phobias obsessive-compulsive disorder, social anxiety disorder and more as classified by the American Psychiatric Association. These feelings of anxiety or symptoms of anxiety can even feel like a heart attack which is worrying. Physical symptoms and emotions can be anxiety symptoms such as panic attacks. This, like depression which is treated with antidepressants, can be treated with medication. Anxious is two syllables – anx-ious, and the pronunciation of anxious is ˈæŋkʃəs.

According to Web MD, there are various different types of anxiety disorders. First there is generalized anxiety disorder, which is characterized by excessive, unrealistic worry and tension with little or no reason. Next there is panic disorder, which creates attacks in which a person may break out in a sweat, have chest pain, and have a pounding heartbeat. There is social anxiety, in which a person feels overwhelming worry and self-consciousness about everyday social situations. There are specific phobias which create an intense fear of a specific object or situation, such as heights or flying, separation anxiety, agoraphobia, selective mutism, and medication-induced anxiety disorder.

Many different languages also contain words that mean anxious. You may notice that many of these words look and sound alike. These are called cognates, which are words and phrases in different languages that mean the same thing and look similar. These are often formed when words have the same root or language of origin. This list of translations of anxious is provided by Word Sense.

  •  Swedish: orolig‎
  •  German: ängstlich‎, besorgt‎
  •  Maori: māihi‎, mawherangi‎, hārato‎
  •  Spanish: ansioso‎, inquieto‎
  •  Turkish: endişeli‎, kaygılı‎
  •  Norman: soucieux‎
  •  Bulgarian: разтревожен‎, обезпокоен‎
  •  Esperanto: anksia‎
  •  Galician: ansioso‎
  •  Danish: urolig‎
  •  Asturian: ansiosu‎
  •  Khmer: ចំពាក់ចិត្ត‎ (cɑmpeak cət), កំពល់‎ (kɑmpʊəl), កង្វល់‎ (kɑŋvɑl)
  •  Scottish Gaelic: cùramach‎, iomagaineach‎
  •  Russian: озабо́ченный‎, беспокоиться‎, встрево́женный‎
  •  Czech: úzkostný‎ (masc.)
  •  Estonian: rahutu‎
  •  Portuguese: ansioso‎
  •  Japanese: 心配‎
  •  Vietnamese: nao‎
  •  Italian: ansioso‎
  •  Greek: αγχώδης‎ (masc.), αγχωμένος‎
  •  Catalan: ansiós‎
  •  Old English: ċeariġ‎
  •  Mandarin: 焦慮‎, 焦虑‎ (jiāolǜ), 担心‎ (dānxīn)
  •  Dutch: bezorgd‎
  •  French: anxieux‎
  •  Romanian: anxios‎ (masc.) (n), neliniștit‎ (masc.) (n), îngrijorat‎
  •  Finnish: jännittynyt‎, hermostunut‎, huolestunut‎, ahdistunut‎
  •  Ido: anxioza‎

How can the word anxious be used in a sentence?

The word anxious can be used in many different settings. Using words in a sentence is the best way to remember their definition. Try using this word of the day in a sentence today! Below is an example of anxious. 

It was an anxious labor. There was a large sense of distress among family members when the new grandson was born.

We were very anxious for the safety of our sons when they went to Europe alone. We thought about every possible misfortune that could go their way and had a massive fear of danger. 

What is the etymology of the word anxious?

According to Etymonline, the word anxious has been sued since the 17th century or 18th century and comes from the Latin angere 

What are synonyms and antonyms for the word anxious?

There are many different words that have the same meaning as the word anxious. These are called synonyms. Synonyms are a great way to expand your vocabulary and avoid repeating yourself. This list of synonyms for the word anxious is provided by Power Thesaurus

  •  stressful
  •  agog
  •  afraid
  •  unstrung
  •  unsure
  •  keyed up
  •  queasy
  •  ruffled
  •  strung out
  •  nervous
  •  uneasy
  •  in a tizzy
  •  skittish
  •  upset
  •  bothered
  •  disturbed
  •  careworn
  •  eager
  •  vexed
  •  distracted
  •  panicky
  •  alarmed
  •  on edge
  •  nervy
  •  scared
  •  worked up
  •  uptight
  •  high-strung
  •  uncertain
  •  apprehensive
  •  disconcerted
  •  insecure
  •  stressed
  •  excited
  •  keen
  •  dying
  •  ardent
  •  timorous
  •  antsy
  •  jittery
  •  fidgety
  •  overwrought
  •  fearful
  •  cowardly
  •  flustered
  •  worried
  •  twitchy
  •  restive
  •  jealous
  •  troubled
  •  fretful
  •  rattled
  •  spooked
  •  shaky
  •  solicitous
  •  enthusiastic
  •  ill at ease
  •  on tenterhooks
  •  harassed
  •  overanxious
  •  unsettled
  •  edgy
  •  jumpy
  •  yearning
  •  distraught
  •  aghast
  •  tense
  •  thirsty
  •  unnerved
  •  worried sick
  •  uncomfortable
  •  zealous
  •  self-conscious
  •  breathless
  •  restless
  •  greedy
  •  terrified
  •  perturbed
  •  strained
  •  itching
  •  very upset
  •  impatient
  •  desirous
  •  disquieted
  •  wired
  •  avid
  •  timid
  •  athirst
  •  longing
  •  fraught
  •  concerned
  •  hungry
  •  neurotic
  •  raring
  •  agitated
  •  frightened
  •  distressed
  •  ambitious
  •  hesitant
  •  unquiet

There are also many different words that have the opposite meaning of the word anxious. These opposite words are called antonyms, which are another great way to expand your vocabulary. This list of antonyms is also provided by Power Thesaurus.

  •  imperturbable
  •  unafraid
  •  unwilling
  •  uninvolved with
  •  worriless
  •  unenthusiastic
  •  untroubled
  •  brave as a lion
  •  undaunted
  •  self-assured
  •  amicable
  •  unconcerned about
  •  poised
  •  self-controlled
  •  dreading
  •  dauntless
  •  blithe
  •  nerveless
  •  placid
  •  as cool as a cucumber
  •  quiet
  •  at peace
  •  collected
  •  careless
  •  unexcitable
  •  gutsy
  •  tranquil
  •  dispassionate
  •  casual
  •  disinclined
  •  comfortable
  •  phlegmatic
  •  unflappable
  •  aloof
  •  equable
  •  cool-headed
  •  chilled
  •  happy-go-lucky
  •  dismissive of
  •  lukewarm about
  •  courageous
  •  uninterested
  •  carefree
  •  nonchalant about
  •  apathetical
  •  laid-back
  •  as quiet as a mouse
  •  lighthearted
  •  centered
  •  disinterested
  •  devil-may-care
  •  brave
  •  indifferent
  •  stress free
  •  confident
  •  together
  •  self-possessed
  •  relaxed
  •  calm
  •  composed
  •  assured
  •  easygoing
  •  reluctant
  •  cool
  •  unbothered
  •  complacent
  •  worry-free
  •  breezy
  •  desperate
  •  chivalric
  •  uninvolved in
  •  controlled
  •  lukewarm
  •  cool as a cucumber
  •  cushty
  •  unenthusiastic about
  •  unperturbed
  •  devil may care
  •  coolheaded
  •  brash
  •  even-tempered
  •  peaceful
  •  apathetic
  •  fearless
  •  detached
  •  happy
  •  at ease
  •  undisturbed
  •  sedate
  •  unworried
  •  insouciant
  •  affable
  •  serene
  •  tranqil
  •  content
  •  unruffled
  •  nonchalant
  •  unconcerned
  •  averse
  •  cheerful

Overall, the word anxious means characterized by painful suspense or worry. In psychotherapy this can refer to different types of anxiety disorders.

Sources:

  1. Anxious definition and meaning | Collins English Dictionary
  2. Anxious synonyms – 1 798 Words and Phrases for Anxious | Power Thesaurus  
  3. Anxious antonyms – 670 Opposites of Anxious | Power Thesaurus 
  4. anxious: meaning, origin, translation | Word Sense 
  5. anxious | Origin and meaning of anxious | Online Etymology Dictionary 
  6. Anxiety Disorders: Types, Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment | Web MD