concern

[ kuhn-surn ]

verb (used with object)

1. to relate to; be connected with; be of interest or importance to; affect:

   The water shortage concerns us all.

   Synonyms: involve, touch

2. to interest or engage (used reflexively or in the passive, often followed by with or in ):

   She concerns herself with every aspect of the business.

3. to trouble, worry, or disquiet:

   I am concerned about his health.

   Synonyms: disturb

noun

1. something that relates or pertains to a person; business; affair:

   Law is the concern of lawyers.

2. a matter that engages a person's attention, interest, or care, or that affects a person's welfare or happiness:

   The party was no concern of his.

   Synonyms: responsibility, burden

3. worry, solicitude, or anxiety:

   to show concern for someone in trouble.

   Antonyms: indifference

4. important relation or bearing:

   This news is of concern to all of us.

5. a commercial or manufacturing company or establishment:

   the headquarters of an insurance concern.

   Synonyms: house, firm

6. Informal. any material object or contrivance.

concern

/ kənˈsɜːn /

verb

1. to relate to; be of importance or interest to; affect
2. usually foll bywith or in to involve or interest (oneself)

   he concerns himself with other people's affairs

noun

1. something that affects or is of importance to a person; affair; business
2. regard for or interest in a person or a thing

   he felt a strong concern for her

3. anxiety, worry, or solicitude
4. important bearing or relation

   his news has great concern for us

5. a commercial company or enterprise
6. informal.
   a material thing, esp one of which one has a low opinion

Other Words From

• over·con·cern noun verb (used with object)
• precon·cern noun verb (used with object)
• self-con·cern noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of concern¹

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English concernen, from Middle French concerner, from Medieval Latin concernere “to relate to, distinguish,” from Late Latin: “to mix for sifting,” from Latin con- con- + cernere “to decide, separate, sift”

Word History and Origins

Origin of concern¹

C15: from Late Latin concernere to mingle together, from Latin com- together + cernere to sift, distinguish

Idioms and Phrases

see as far as that goes (is concerned) ; to whom it may concern .

Example Sentences

Without school-based counselors and social workers, these concerns may not be investigated.

From Vox

I don’t find a lot of concern about his actual policies or what’s in his heart.

From Vox

These cameras are not always accurate and raise a whole host of privacy concerns.

From Axios

Initially the company had contemplated personalizing ads, using cameras and eye-tracking, on the basis of age and gender but has since declined because of privacy concerns.

From Search Engine Land

Still, some may argue that culture and conduct concerns are too “squishy” to worry about when near-term economic outlooks are so uncertain.

From Fortune

Scruff believes that sex is not the primary concern of users.

From The Daily Beast

We have to share those feelings of concern that the people are feeling.

From The Daily Beast

The economy has begun to add jobs, but the quality of those jobs is an increasing concern.

From The Daily Beast

Until concern trolls like Sarah Ditum came along trying to cover it up again.

From The Daily Beast

There is a lot of residual concern that Lizard Squad was able to get even this far.

From The Daily Beast

He turned at the sound of my voice with vastly more concern than he'd betrayed under the muzzle of Piegan's gun.

From Project Gutenberg

It stands very much in the way of that universal adult education which is our present concern.

From Project Gutenberg

That—and no existing institution and no current issue—is the primary concern of the present age.

From Project Gutenberg

I desire and am endeavoring to be on my guard respecting matters which concern his inclination and not his reason.

From Project Gutenberg

The news caused general concern throughout the house, and Ethne was frightfully upset.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• bother
• disturb
• interest
• involve
• perturb
• regard
• trouble
• worry

When To Use

What are other ways to say concern?

As a noun, concern means “worry, solicitude, or anxiety.” How does concern compare to care and worry? Learn more on Thesaurus.com.

More About Concern

What is a basic definition of concern?

Concern means to relate to or to affect, to interest or engage, or to worry. Concern also has several senses as a noun.

If an issue or problem concerns someone, it means that it involves them or will affect them personally.

• Real-life examples: The price of gas concerns drivers. Stock market prices concern investors. Global warming concerns everyone.
• Used in a sentence: Our conversation doesn’t concern you, so leave us alone. 

As a noun, this sense of concern means something that is closely related to something else or something that is a main focus.

• Used in a sentence: Fires are the concern of the fire department. 

Concern can also mean to interest someone or draw their attention. In this sense, it is often followed by with or in.

• Real-life examples: You might concern yourself with your friend’s problem because you care about them. When you’re taking a test, your teacher might remind students to be concerned only with their own papers. Your parents concern themselves with your health.
• Used in a sentence: Chuck doesn’t concern himself with other people’s problems. 

Concern is used as a noun in this sense to mean a matter or issue that a person cares about.

• Used in a sentence: What my neighbors do to their lawn is no concern of mine. 

Lastly, concern means to worry or cause anxiety.

• Real-life examples: You might be concerned about your grades. Politicians are often concerned about whether voters will keep voting for them. Your friend might be concerned about whether you both make the basketball team.
• Used in a sentence: Her brother’s failing health really concerns Joelene,  and she has been losing sleep over it. 

As a noun, concern is a synonym of words such as worry or anxiety.

• Used in a sentence: We try to ease parents’ concern by showing them that the school is completely safe and monitored. 

Where does concern come from?

The first records of concern come from around 1375. It ultimately comes from the Medieval Latin concernere, meaning “to relate to” or “to distinguish.”

Did you know ... ?

What are some other forms related to concern?

• concerning (preposition, adjective, present tense verb)
• unconcern (noun)
• unconcerned (adjective)
• overconcern (noun, verb)
• preconcern (noun, verb)
• self-concern (noun)

What are some synonyms for concern?

• disturb
• interest
• affect
• involve
• involve
• worry
• anxiety

What are some words that share a root or word element with concern? 

• concerning
• unconcern
• unconcerned
• to whom it may concern

What are some words that often get used in discussing concern?

• issue
• problem
• important
• care
• stress

How is concern used in real life?

Concern is a common word that often means something matters to someone or causes them anxiety.

I stay out of situations that doesn't concern me!

— Loren LoLondon (@LO_LONDON) July 12, 2016

It really concerns me how many people will blindly defend their idol no matter what they do.

— Calum McSwiggan (@CalumMcSwiggan) September 21, 2014

Sounds like the province is working to get casinos open. Dr. Henry says she has not seen the plan yet. Says her concern is the safety of not just gamblers but those working at the casinos. #bcpoli #covid19bc

— Richard Zussman (@richardzussman) June 26, 2020

Try using concern!

Which of the following words is a synonym of concern?

A. relief
B. worry
C. apathy
D. happiness