WordGarden.ioworriedly
A2Pronunciation
UK
- /wˈʌrɪdli/
US
- /wˈʌrɪdli/
Meanings
Adverb
in a worried or anxious way
Beyond the definition
"Worriedly" describes how something is done—specifically, in a way that shows you are full of worry or anxiety. It's not just that you're worried, but that your worry is visible in your actions. Imagine a mother pacing the floor while her child is late coming home; she paces worriedly. Or picture someone glancing at the clock repeatedly during an important exam—they check it worriedly, hoping time doesn't run out. It adds a layer of emotional context to an action, showing that anxiety is driving it. You might also see it used to describe how someone speaks: "She asked, worriedly, if he was all right."
"Worriedly" is an adverb—a word that describes how an action is performed. It paints a picture of someone acting with visible anxiety or concern. Unlike simply saying someone is worried, "worriedly" shows us the worry in motion.
Think about a detective investigating a crime scene. They might search worriedly for clues, their movements quick and frantic as they try to piece things together. Or consider a student waiting for exam results; they might bite their nails worriedly, a physical manifestation of their stress.
The power of "worriedly" lies in its ability to convey not just the feeling of worry, but also how that feeling impacts someone's behavior. It's more descriptive than simply saying "He looked at her with worry," because it shows us how he looked—perhaps with darting eyes and a furrowed brow.
You won't often find "worriedly" used in formal or technical writing, but it's incredibly effective in storytelling and everyday conversation to add emotional depth and bring scenes to life. It helps readers or listeners truly see the anxiety someone is experiencing through their actions. For example: "The dog whimpered worriedly as thunder rumbled in the distance," or "He checked his email worriedly, hoping for good news."
Examples
- 1
Missing item
Lena looked around worriedly when she realized her bag was missing.
- 2
Health concern
"Are you sure you feel well enough to drive?" he asked worriedly.
- 3
Animal reaction
The dog paced worriedly by the door while the fireworks were going off outside.
- 4
Waiting for news
She kept checking her phone worriedly, waiting for the hospital to call.
See also
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- worriedlyadverb