Concern
/kənˈsɜːrn/
Definitions
4 meaningsA feeling of worry, anxiety, or interest regarding something.
/kənˈsɜːrn/
A feeling of worry or anxiety.
The environmental impact is a major concern.
💡 Simply: A concern is like a little worry or something you're thinking a lot about. Like, 'I have a concern about the test tomorrow!'
👶 For kids: A worry or something you're thinking about a lot.
More Examples
He voiced his concerns about the new policy.
The safety of the children is our primary concern.
How It's Used
"The rising cost of food is a major concern for many families."
"Employee well-being is a growing concern for companies."
"She expressed concern about her friend's sudden weight loss."
Something of importance or relevance; something that affects or involves one.
/kənˈsɜːrn/
Something that is important to someone.
Her health is a major concern.
💡 Simply: A concern can also be something really important to you, like 'My health is a big concern for me.'
👶 For kids: Something important to you.
More Examples
The future of the company is a concern for the stakeholders.
Safety is a serious concern for the construction workers.
How It's Used
"Her family's happiness is her main concern."
"The project's completion is the team's shared concern."
To cause worry or anxiety in someone; to be relevant to.
/kənˈsɜːrn/
To cause worry or anxiety in someone.
The economic downturn concerned many people.
💡 Simply: To concern someone means it makes them worried or think about something a lot. Like, 'The weather report concerns me; it's going to rain!'.
👶 For kids: To make someone worried.
More Examples
The delay in the delivery concerned the manager.
His silence concerned her deeply.
How It's Used
"The possibility of job losses concerned the employees."
"Falling stock prices concerned the investors."
To relate to or affect; to have to do with.
/kənˈsɜːrn/
To be relevant to or affect.
The report concerns the company's financial performance.
💡 Simply: To concern something can also mean it's about that thing. Like, 'The meeting concerns the new marketing plan.'
👶 For kids: To be about or relate to something.
More Examples
This decision concerns everyone in the team.
The conversation concerned his recent promotion.
How It's Used
"The new law concerns all citizens."
"The discussion concerned the future of the project."
Synonyms
Idioms & expressions
As far as I am concerned
In my opinion; from my perspective.
"As far as I'm concerned, we should take the trip this weekend."
A matter of concern
Something important or worrying.
"The rising crime rate is a matter of serious concern for the community."
From Middle French *concerner*, from Old French *concerner* (“to have a bearing on, touch, affect”), from Late Latin *concernere* (“to mix together, interest”), from *con-* (“together”) + *cernere* (“to sift, distinguish, decide”).
Used in similar ways since the 14th century, initially related to matters of interest or importance.
Memory tip
Think of a time you were worried about something - that's a concern!
Practice
Word Origin
Root: cernere (to sift, distinguish)