Cool MateAnxious vs Nervous vs Worried
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Anxious
Nervous
Worried
| Anxious | Nervous | Worried | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈæŋkʃəs/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈæŋkʃəs/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈnɜːvəs/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈnɜːrvəs/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈwʌrid/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈwɜːrid/"]/ |
| Meaning | Worried or nervous about something. | Feeling worried or anxious | Feeling anxious or concerned about something. |
| Example | She felt anxious about the upcoming exam. | She felt nervous before her speech in front of the class. | She is worried about her exam results. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | B2 | A2 | A2 |
| Part of speech | adjective | adjective | adjective |
| Collocations | appear, be, feel, extremely, fairly, very, about, for | appear, be, feel, extremely, fairly, very, about, at, of, appear, be, feel, extremely, fairly, very, about, at, of | be, feel, look, extremely, fairly, very, about, worried sick |
| Antonyms | calm, relaxed, composed | calm, relaxed, confident | calm, untroubled, carefree |
| Common mistakes | Confusing 'anxious' with 'eager', which means excited or looking forward to something., Using 'anxious' without a preposition; it should be 'anxious about' or 'anxious for'., Thinking 'anxious' always means worry, not recognizing it can imply a strong desire in certain contexts. | Confusing with 'excited' as they can feel similar., Using 'nervous' when meaning 'angry'., Saying 'nervous for' instead of 'nervous about'. | 'Worried of' instead of 'worried about', Confusing 'worried' with 'worriedly' (the adverb form), 'Worry' as a noun instead of using the adjective 'worried' |
| Usage notes | Used when feeling nervous or uneasy about a situation. Generally appropriate in both formal and informal contexts, but in very casual settings, some might use 'worried' instead. | Used to describe a feeling of anxiety; common in both spoken and written English. Avoid in overly relaxed situations where less formal vocabulary is suitable. | Use 'worried' in situations of concern or anxiety. It's suitable for both casual and more serious contexts. Avoid using it in overly formal writing. |
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Frequently asked questions: Anxious vs Nervous vs Worried
What's the difference between Anxious, Nervous, and Worried?
Anxious: Worried or nervous about something. Nervous: Feeling worried or anxious Worried: Feeling anxious or concerned about something.
Which is more advanced: Anxious, Nervous, and Worried?
Anxious is the highest level, at B2, on the CEFR scale.
Are Anxious, Nervous, and Worried the same CEFR level?
Anxious: B2, Nervous: A2, Worried: A2 on the CEFR scale.
What part of speech are Anxious, Nervous, and Worried?
Anxious: adjective, Nervous: adjective, Worried: adjective.
Can you show an example of each?
Anxious: She felt anxious about the upcoming exam. Nervous: She felt nervous before her speech in front of the class. Worried: She is worried about her exam results.
Can I use Anxious, Nervous, and Worried interchangeably?
Not always. Anxious, Nervous, and Worried are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.