First Known Use: 15th century
Dictionary
1concern
verb con·cern \kən-ˈsərn\
: to relate to (something or someone) : to be about (something or someone)
: to affect or involve (someone) : to be the business or interest of (someone)
: to make (someone) worried : to cause concern for (someone)
Full Definition of CONCERN
transitive verb
1
a : to relate to : be about <the novel concerns three soldiers> b : to bear on
2
: to have an influence on : involve; also : to be the business or affair of <the problem concerns us all>
3
: to be a care, trouble, or distress to <her ill health concerns me>
intransitive verb
obsolete : to be of importance : matter
See concern defined for English-language learners
See concern defined for kids
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Origin of CONCERN
Middle English, from Middle French & Medieval Latin; Middle French concerner, from Medieval Latin concernere, from Late Latin, to sift together, mingle, from Latin com- + cernere to sift — more at certain
Related to CONCERN
- Synonyms
- cover, deal (with), pertain (to), treat (of), have to do with
- Antonyms
- calm, compose, quiet, settle, soothe, tranquilize (also tranquillize)
Rhymes with CONCERN
2concern
noun
: a feeling of worry usually shared by many people
: something that causes people to worry
: a feeling of being interested in and caring about a person or thing
Full Definition of CONCERN
1
a : marked interest or regard usually arising through a personal tie or relationship b : an uneasy state of blended interest, uncertainty, and apprehension
2
: something that relates or belongs to one : affair <it's no concern of yours>
3
: matter for consideration
4
: an organization or establishment for business or manufacture <a banking concern>
5
See concern defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of CONCERN
1655
Related to CONCERN
- Synonyms
- business, company, enterprise, establishment, firm, house, interest, outfit
- Antonyms
- unconcern
Synonym Discussion of CONCERN
care, concern, solicitude, anxiety, worry mean a troubled or engrossed state of mind or the thing that causes this. care implies oppression of the mind weighed down by responsibility or disquieted by apprehension <a face worn by years of care>. concern implies a troubled state of mind because of personal interest, relation, or affection <crimes caused concern in the neighborhood>. solicitude implies great concern and connotes either thoughtful or hovering attentiveness toward another <acted with typical maternal solicitude>. anxiety stresses anguished uncertainty or fear of misfortune or failure <plagued by anxiety and self-doubt>. worry suggests fretting over matters that may or may not be real cause for anxiety <financial worries>.
CONCERN[2] Defined for Kids
1concern
verb con·cern \kən-ˈsərn\
con·cernedcon·cern·ing
Definition of CONCERN for Kids
1
: to relate to : be about <The story concerns a young prince.>
2
: to be of interest or importance to : affect <This problem concerns us all.>
3
: to make worried <Her illness concerned my parents.>
2concern
noun
Definition of CONCERN for Kids
1
: a feeling of worry or care about a person or thing <concern for the poor> <a cause for concern>
2
: something that causes worry or is regarded as important <The students' safety is her main concern.>
3
: something that relates to or involves a person : affair <This is not your concern.>
4
: a business organization <a banking concern>
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