VocabularyBasePractice words

Meaning & use

worrywarts

noun·Advancedinformaldisapproving

Last updated

UK/ˈwʌriwɔːts/
US/ˈwɜːriwɔːrts/

“worrywarts” is a form of “worrywart”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.

Usage warning: this word is disapproving. It shows a negative opinion, so take care with who and what you use it about.

Meanings

  1. nounpluralinformaldisapproving

    People who keep expecting bad things to happen and fret about them a lot.

    Grammar: Plural countable noun; the singular is "worrywart." Use it with plural verbs: worrywarts worry.

    Patterns

    • a bunch of worrywarts
    • the worrywarts in the office

    My aunts are such worrywarts that they call me if I am ten minutes late.

    The worrywarts on the team had packed extra food and three umbrellas each.

  2. nounsingularinformaldisapproving

    A person who is always anxious about small, unimportant things.

    Grammar: Singular form used for one person; note the spelling ends in -wart, not -ward.

    Patterns

    • be a worrywart about something
    • call someone a worrywart

    Don't be such a worrywart — the train is only a minute late.

    He is a real worrywart about money, even though he earns plenty.

Word forms

singularworrywart

Common combinations

be a worrywart
Stop being a worrywart and enjoy the trip.
a bit of a worrywart
She's a bit of a worrywart when her kids travel alone.
a total worrywart
My grandfather was a total worrywart about the weather.
worrywart tendencies
His worrywart tendencies show up before every exam.

Synonyms and how they differ

worrier
Neutral and more formal; "worrywart" sounds more teasing and informal.
fussbudget
Focuses on complaining about small details rather than on feeling anxious.
nervous Nellie
An informal American term, often playful, for someone easily frightened or anxious.

Opposites

optimistrelaxed person

Word family

worrywart noun
The singular form, meaning one anxious person.
worry verb
To feel anxious or keep thinking about problems.
worried adjective
Feeling anxious about something.
worrying adjective
Causing anxiety or concern.

Commonly confused: worrywarts or worryward?

worrywarts vs worryward

Not a real word; learners sometimes misspell "worrywart" with -ward because -ward is a common ending (as in "homeward").

Practice

Which sentence uses "worrywarts" correctly?

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “worrywarts”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

Your sentence stays on this page and is not sent anywhere.

Explore more words