worrying
/ˈwʌɹi.ɪŋ/
Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.
Also seen as: worryings
Sense 1
Meaning · English
Inducing worry.
Adjective
Examples
Moldova did give England's under-employed keeper Joe Hart a worrying moment when Igor Armas sent a free header wide but otherwise it was an easy night.
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).
Sense 2
Meaning · English
The act of worrying or harassing somebody.
Noun
Examples
There is a snaky gleam in her hard grey eye, as of anticipated rounds of buttered toast, relays of hot chops, worryings and quellings of young children, sharp snappings at poor Berry, and all the other delights of her Ogress's castle.
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “worrying” mean?
Inducing worry.
Is “worrying” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.