# anxiety

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˌæŋ(ɡ)ˈzaɪ.ɪ.ti/ · frequency rank #3,278

## Definitions
1. An unpleasant state of mental uneasiness, nervousness, apprehension and obsession or concern about some uncertain event.
2. An uneasy or distressing desire (for something). Endeavor (to please).
3. A state of restlessness and agitation, often accompanied by a distressing sense of oppression or tightness in the stomach.
4. Any anxiety disorder, especially generalized anxiety disorder.

## Etymology
Borrowed from Latin anxietās, from anxius (“anxious, solicitous, distressed, troubled”), from angō (“to distress, trouble”), akin to Ancient Greek ἄγχω (ánkhō, “to choke”). Equivalent to anxious + -ety. See anger; angst.

## Common misspellings (10)
`anixety`, `annxiety`, `anxeity`, `anxietty`, `anxietyy`, `anxieyt`, `anxitey`, `anxxiety`, `axniety`, `naxiety`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/anxiety