worrywart

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'worrywart' is correct and usable in written English.
It is a colloquial term used to describe someone who worries excessively or is constantly anxious. It can be used in a casual or humorous tone, but not in formal writing. Example: "My sister is such a worrywart, she always overthinks everything and gets anxious about the smallest things."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

Morse was a worrywart; he seemed to spend his time agonizing over things instead of actually doing them.

The New Yorker

"I'm a bit of a worrywart," he said.

The New Yorker

He was sweet and was sometimes fun to be with, but mostly he wasn't, being something of a nail-chewing worrywart by nature.

The New Yorker

Brady is a butch worrywart; Cheeks is a tart diva (or maybe a diva tart).

The New Yorker

Since then, his mother has become a worrywart, and he fears causing her anxiety by getting home late.

The New Yorker

Annie, the elder, is a sober worrywart, while Miranda, the younger, is self-involved, inclined to melodrama, and on the verge of bankruptcy after her literary agency represented too many fraudulent memoirs.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

He was thrilled; but when she spoke about it on TV, a mob of worrywarts called her "America's worst mom .In this section Choose your parents wisely Cancel that violin class Cruel and unusual Clear as mud Her reign in Maine is easy to explain Dreamy footsoldiers of the Left ReprintsYet in fact American children are staggeringly safe.

The Economist

The scary fiscal projections beloved by worrywarts tend to show rising ratios of debt to GDP, driven by growing health-care costs and rising interest rates.

The Economist

That adds yet another layer of security: worrywarts can set the device to require a concerto's worth of fingerprints before it gives out the PIN code.It also allows people to designate a panic finger, for use if fraudsters are forcing customers to use the device.

The Economist

The worrywarts have a stronger point when they argue that too much emphasis is placed on short-term interest rates as a means of cutting unemployment.

The Economist

And even worrywarts who felt something was amiss had no idea of how bad the consequences would be.That was partly to do with professional silos, which limited both the tools available and the imaginations of the practitioners.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "worrywart" in informal contexts to describe someone who worries excessively, especially about minor details. It adds a lighthearted, slightly humorous tone.

Common error

While "worrywart" is widely understood, it's best to avoid it in formal reports or academic papers. Opt for more professional terms like "anxious individual" or "prone to anxiety" to maintain a serious tone.

Linguistic Context

The term "worrywart" functions primarily as a noun, identifying a person characterized by excessive worrying. Ludwig examples show it describing individuals' personalities and behaviors. Ludwig AI confirms the term's suitability for general use.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "worrywart" is a commonly used noun to describe someone who worries excessively, especially about unimportant matters. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English, particularly in informal contexts. While grammatically correct and frequently found in news and media, it's advisable to avoid using "worrywart" in formal or academic writing, opting instead for more professional terms like "anxious individual". As highlighted by Ludwig examples, the term often carries a lighthearted or slightly humorous tone. Alternative phrases include "anxious person", "constant worrier", and "bundle of nerves".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

constant worrier

Emphasizes the continuous nature of their worrying.

habitual worrier

Highlights the ingrained habit of worrying.

anxious person

Focuses on the general state of anxiety rather than the specific tendency to worry.

bundle of nerves

Describes someone who is visibly nervous and anxious.

overthinker

Focuses on the tendency to think about things too much, which often leads to worry.

one who frets

Uses the verb "fret" to describe the act of worrying, adding a slightly old-fashioned tone.

someone prone to anxiety

A more clinical way to describe someone who worries a lot.

alarmist

Suggests someone who exaggerates dangers and causes unnecessary alarm.

a nervous type

A general way of saying someone is easily nervous and prone to worry.

apprehensive individual

A more formal way to describe someone who feels anxious or fearful.

FAQs

How can I use "worrywart" in a sentence?

You can use "worrywart" to describe someone who worries excessively, such as, "My brother is such a "worrywart", he always anticipates the worst-case scenario".

What can I say instead of "worrywart"?

You can use alternatives like "anxious person", "constant worrier", or "bundle of nerves" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to call someone a "worrywart"?

Calling someone a "worrywart" is generally considered informal and can be perceived as mildly negative. Use it cautiously and consider the recipient's personality and the context of the conversation.

What's the difference between a "worrywart" and an "optimist"?

A "worrywart" is someone who tends to focus on potential problems and negative outcomes, while an "optimist" is someone who typically expects positive outcomes and focuses on the bright side of situations.