Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

worrywart

/ˈwʌɹ.iˌwɔːt/

Word Rarity Very rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 1.18 in modern English

Syllables: wor-ry-wart
IPA: /ˈwʌɹ.iˌwɔːt/

18

Scrabble Score

9

Letters

3

Syllables

6

Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

A person who worries excessively, especially about unimportant matters.

Example Sentences

"It doesn't mean you're a worrywart, a nervous wreck or in need of heavy medication."
"On vacation, I'm a worrywart for fretting about third-degree burns and puncture wounds."
"When Biden takes the presidential oath in January, many will write articles scolding those who expressed concern about a coup as worrywarts, or as people misusing terminology."

Etymology

From worry + wart, apparently chosen for alliteration. Presumably related to earlier worryguts. Attested 1956, but earlier examples are found in newspapers of the 1930s and 1940s.

Regional Pronunciation

American English: /ˈwʌɹ.iˌwɔːt/
British English: /ˈwʌɹ.ɪˌwɔːt/

Inflected Forms

worrywarts (plural) worry wart (alternative) worry-wart (alternative)

Frequently Paired Words

pessimist OCD hypochondriac

Synonyms

bundle of nerves worrier bag of nerves jitterbug nervous Nellie nervous wreck neurotic obsessive tightass wiener worryguts worrywart

Rhymes With

support court short report come short sort port sport transport crown court fort resort

Questions

How do you pronounce worrywart?: The recorded pronunciation is /ˈwʌɹ.iˌwɔːt/.
What does worrywart mean?: A person who worries excessively, especially about unimportant matters.
Where does worrywart come from?: From worry + wart, apparently chosen for alliteration. Presumably related to earlier worryguts. Attested 1956, but earlier examples are found in newspapers of the 1930s and 1940s.

How to pronounce worrywart

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “worrywart”.
Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/ˈwʌɹ.iˌwɔːt/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “worrywart”.
Repeat and practice — Say “worrywart” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.