concern — English Dictionary

Noun

1. That which affects one’s welfare or happiness. A matter of interest to someone.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

   Synonyms

   interest

   Antonyms

   unconcern

   Examples

   Mark’s health was of great concern to Connie.

   More examples (2)

   We drove back to the office with some concern on my part at the prospect of so large a case. Sunning himself on the board steps, I saw for the first time Mr. Farquhar Fenelon Cooke. He was dressed out in broad gaiters and bright tweeds, like an English tourist, and his face might have belonged to Dagon, idol of the Philistines.

   Although the encounter was bathed in sunshine, the match failed to reach boiling point but that will be of little concern to Gerard Houllier’s team, who took a huge step forward before they face crucial matches against their relegation rivals.

2. The placement of interest or worry on a subject.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

   Examples

   Most people in Australia have no concern for the recent events in London.

3. A worry; a sense that something may be wrong; an identification of a possible problem.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

   Examples

   Let me know if you have any questions or concerns about the document.

   More examples (1)

   The use of algorithms in policing is one example of their increasing influence on our lives.[…]who, if anyone, is policing their use[?] Such concerns were sharpened further by the continuing revelations about how the US National Security Agency (NSA) has been using algorithms to help it interpret the colossal amounts of data it has collected from its covert dragnet of international telecommunications.

4. The expression of solicitude, anxiety, or compassion toward a thing or person.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

   Synonyms

   caretrouble

   Examples

   Judy's eyes filled with concern as she listened to the news report.

   More examples (1)

   Appleby […] rose from his seat when Morales came in. He shook hands urbanely, unbuckled his sword, and laid his kepi on the table, and then sat down with an expression of concern in his olive face which Appleby fancied was assumed.

5. A business, firm or enterprise; a company.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

   Examples

   The employees’ attitude is really hurting the concern.

   a going concern

   More examples (2)

   Then I remembered there was a big concern, a Company for trade on that river.

   Soon after he ascended the throne, an Arabic television joint venture between the BBC and a Saudi concern, Orbit Communications, foundered over the BBC’s insistence on editorial independence.

6. Any set of information that affects the code of a computer program.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

   Examples

   At the programming level, an aspect is a modular unit that implements a concern.

Verb

1. To relate or belong to; to have reference to or connection with; to affect the interest of; to be of importance to.

   Usage

   • Transitive

   Examples

   Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ.

   our wars with France have always affected us in our most tender interests, and concerned us more than those we have had with any other nation

   More examples (2)

   ignorant, so far as the usual instruction was concerned

   As a political system democracy seems to me extraordinarily foolish, but I would not go out of my way to protest against it. My servant is, so far as I am concerned, welcome to as many votes as he can get. I would very gladly make mine over to him if I could.

2. To engage by feeling or sentiment; to interest.

   Usage

   • Transitive

   Examples

   A good prince concerns himself in the happiness of his subjects.

   They think themselves out the reach of Providence, and no longer concerned to solicit his favour.

   More examples (1)

   It had been his intention to go to Wimbledon, but as he himself said: “Why be blooming well frizzled when you can hear all the results over the wireless. And results are all that concern me.[…]”

3. To make somebody worried.

   Usage

   • Transitive

   Examples

   I’m concerned that she’s becoming an alcoholic.

Noun

1. something that interests you because it is important or affects you

   Broader terms

   interestinvolvement

   Examples

   the safety of the ship is the captain's concern

2. an anxious feeling

   Synonyms

   carefear

   Broader terms

   anxiety

   Examples

   care had aged him

   they hushed it up out of fear of public reaction

3. a feeling of sympathy for someone or something

   Antonyms

   unconcern

   Broader terms

   sympathyfellow feeling

   Examples

   She felt strong concern for those less fortunate

4. something or someone that causes anxiety; a source of unhappiness

   Synonyms

   worryheadachevexation

   Broader terms

   negative stimulus

   Examples

   New York traffic is a constant concern

   it's a major worry

5. a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it

   Synonyms

   businessbusiness concernbusiness organizationbusiness organisation

   Broader terms

   enterprise

   Examples

   he bought his brother's business

   a small mom-and-pop business

   More examples (1)

   a racially integrated business concern

Verb

1. be relevant to

   Synonyms

   referpertainrelatecome tobear ontouchtouch onhave to do with

   Examples

   There were lots of questions referring to her talk

   My remark pertained to your earlier comments

2. be on the mind of

   Synonyms

   interestoccupyworry

   Broader terms

   thinkcogitatecerebrate

   Examples

   I worry about the second Germanic consonant shift