concern

1 of 2

verb

con·​cern kən-ˈsərn 

concerned; concerning; concerns

transitive verb

1

a

: to relate to : be about

The novel concerns three soldiers.

The report concerns global warming.

b

: to bear on

2

: to have an influence on : involve

also : to be the business or affair of

The problem concerns us all.

This conversation does not concern you.

3

: to be a care, trouble, or distress to

Her ill health concerns me.

Her son's frequent tantrums concerned her.

4

: engage entry 1, occupy

He concerns himself with trivia.

She refused to concern herself with such gossip.

intransitive verb

obsolete : to be of importance : matter

concern

2 of 2

noun

1

a

: marked interest or regard usually arising through a personal tie or relationship

Their friend's health is a constant cause of concern.

b

: an uneasy state of blended interest, uncertainty, and apprehension

The actor's sudden collapse on stage caused concern.

2

: something that relates or belongs to one : affair

It's no concern of yours.

3

a

: matter for consideration

Immigration had become a concern to Congress.

b

: a matter that causes feelings of unease, uncertainty, or apprehension

health/safety concerns

"Just throw it into the sun!" That phrase has long been the seemingly easy answer to … very serious concerns about what to do with nuclear waste.

—Dave Trumbore

4

: an organization or establishment for business or manufacture

a banking concern

a commercial concern

5

: contrivance, gadget

Synonyms

Verb

• cover
• deal (with)
• pertain (to)
• treat (of)

Noun

• business
• company
• enterprise
• establishment
• firm
• house
• interest
• outfit

Choose the Right Synonym for concern

care, concern, solicitude, anxiety, worry mean a troubled or engrossed state of mind or the thing that causes this.

care implies oppression of the mind weighed down by responsibility or disquieted by apprehension.

a face worn by years of care

concern implies a troubled state of mind because of personal interest, relation, or affection.

crimes caused concern in the neighborhood

solicitude implies great concern and connotes either thoughtful or hovering attentiveness toward another.

acted with typical maternal solicitude

anxiety stresses anguished uncertainty or fear of misfortune or failure.

plagued by anxiety and self-doubt

worry suggests fretting over matters that may or may not be real cause for anxiety.

financial worries

Examples of concern in a Sentence

Verb

The novel concerns three soldiers.

This study concerns the noise levels in cities.

This conversation doesn't concern you.

Our mother's illness concerns us.

Noun

They have expressed concern about the cost of the project.

There is some concern that the economy might worsen.

I share your concern about these problems.

Their friend's health is a constant source of concern.

The governor needs to address voters' concerns about the economy.

They have raised concerns about the cost of the project.

Their friend's health is a constant concern.

His concern with the well-being of his family is obvious.

She has always shown genuine concern for the poor.

I appreciate your concern, but there's really nothing you can do to help.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Its dual narrative concerns a set of perverse medical experiments about human consciousness performed in an early-20th-century Argentine sanitorium and, a century later, an outsider artist who carries forth the legacy of these trials in grotesque ways. —The Atlantic, 15 May 2025

This was not the first time school officials had been concerned with the boy’s behavior. —Dalia Faheid, CNN Money, 15 May 2025

Noun

Got thoughts, questions, ideas, concerns, compliments or maybe even some recs for me? —Brian Truitt, USA Today, 17 May 2025

Amid the turbulence of campus protests over Israel’s war in Gaza, President Carol Folt canceled the main ceremony over safety concerns, along with the speech of valedictorian Asna Tabassum, who had expressed pro-Palestinian views. —Daniel Miller, Los Angeles Times, 16 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

Verb and Noun

Middle English, from Middle French & Medieval Latin; Middle French concerner, from Medieval Latin concernere, from Late Latin, to sift together, mingle, from Latin com- + cernere to sift — more at certain

First Known Use

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Noun

1643, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Phrases Containing concern

• a matter of some concern
• cause for concern
• concern oneself
• going concern
• no concern of someone's
• none of someone's concern
• not someone's concern
• self-concern

Rhymes for concern

• adjourn
• decern
• discern
• downturn
• extern
• heartburn
• interne
• nocturne
• return
• sunburn
• unworn
• upturn

Kids Definition

concern

1 of 2 verb

con·​cern kən-ˈsərn 

1

: to relate to : be about

the novel concerns three soldiers

2

: to be the business or affair of

the problem concerns us all

3

: to make worried or disturbed

our mother's illness concerns us

4

: involve sense 1, engage

concerned himself in the matter

concern

2 of 2 noun

1

: something that concerns one : affair

the concerns of the day

2

: a state of interest and uncertainty : anxiety

deep concern for their friend's health

public concern over pollution

3

: a business or manufacturing establishment

a banking concern