Concern Meaning
Concern Definition & Usage
A feeling of worry, anxiety, or interest about something or someone.
Examples
- "Her main concern was the well-being of her children."
- "The concern over the economy has grown in recent months."
- "There was genuine concern among the staff about the company's future."
- "He expressed concern for his friend's safety during the storm."
- "The environmental impact of the project is a major concern."
A matter of interest or importance to someone, especially something that requires action or attention.
Examples
- "The new policies are a concern for local businesses."
- "His main concern in the meeting was how to improve efficiency."
- "Environmental sustainability has become a key concern for governments worldwide."
- "She raised concerns about the lack of transparency in the proposal."
- "Financial concerns forced the company to make drastic changes."
To cause worry or anxiety in someone, or to be relevant or significant to someone.
Examples
- "The sudden increase in prices concerns many consumers."
- "Her health concerns are starting to affect her daily life."
- "It concerns me that we haven’t received any updates on the project."
- "The lack of preparation for the storm concerns the emergency services."
- "His actions concerning the company's finances are under investigation."
To involve or relate to something, to be of interest or importance.
Examples
- "The changes in the law concern everyone who works in the healthcare industry."
- "This issue concerns all citizens, as it affects public safety."
- "The new contract concerns the employees more than the management."
- "Do you think this matter concerns the board of directors?"
- "This report concerns various factors related to the market economy."
Cultural Context
The word 'concern' has evolved over centuries, from its early meanings related to mixing or blending in Latin ('concernere') to its modern meanings related to worry, involvement, and relevance. It has become an essential term in discussions around emotional health, business, politics, and social issues.
A Matter of Concern
Story
A Matter of Concern
In the quiet town of Willow Creek, everyone knew each other's business. That’s why, when a sudden economic downturn started to hit local businesses, the townspeople grew anxious. Anne, a small business owner, was particularly concerned about the future of her family-run bookstore. Her mind raced every night with thoughts of how she might keep her business afloat. One morning, as she was arranging books on a shelf, her friend Tom stopped by. He had recently taken over a café across town and, like Anne, was deeply concerned about the financial situation. 'I don’t know how much longer we can survive this,' he said, his voice tinged with worry. 'It’s not just about profit anymore; it’s about surviving day to day.' Anne sighed, her concern growing as she thought of her own struggles. 'The same worries keep me up at night,' she admitted. 'I’m concerned about keeping my staff on payroll. But more than that, I’m worried about the community. If we don’t support each other, I don’t know how anyone is going to make it through.' The two of them spent hours talking about what they could do to help. They agreed that they needed to act quickly, but Anne wasn’t sure where to begin. 'What’s your biggest concern?' she asked Tom. 'For me, it’s how to keep the customers coming in,' he said. 'People are worried about their jobs, and I think they’re cutting back on luxuries like coffee and books.' Later that week, Anne and Tom gathered a group of local business owners to discuss their concerns and brainstorm solutions. As they met, Anne noticed that, despite the worrying situation, everyone in the room was eager to get involved and make a difference. Some were focused on increasing marketing efforts, while others proposed hosting community events. In the end, it was clear that the collective concern about the town’s future had brought them closer together, and their shared effort gave everyone a sense of hope. The word 'concern' had taken on multiple meanings throughout the process – from personal worry to collective action, but it was this very concern that sparked the town’s resilience. Anne left the meeting that evening feeling more optimistic. It was not just about surviving the financial crisis, but about working together, proving that concern for each other could lead to change. In Willow Creek, concern was the glue that held the community together.
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