concern

Pronunciation

• (US) IPA ^(key): /kənˈsɝn/
• (UK) IPA ^(key): /kənˈsɜːn/

• Audio (US)

  (file)

• Hyphenation: con‧cern

Noun

Singular concern

Plural concerns

1. (countable & uncountable) A concern is something that you think is a problem or needs attention.

   The government expressed its concern at the fighting in Kenya.

   Poor sales are causing concern among the owners.

   Our main concern now is to make sure that everyone is safe.

   There is widespread concern about the approaching storm.

   He concern for her children is understandable, given the lack of information.

   The changes at the school were quite clearly a matter of great interest and concern among students.

2. (uncountable) Concern is a feeling that you want to help somebody.

   Her look of concern made him feel better.

3. (countable) A concern is a business.

   XYZ Company is an ongoing concern, and we have no plans to shut it down.

Synonyms

• care
• worry

Related words

• concerned
• concerning
• unconcerned

Verb

Plain form concern

Third-person singular concerns

Past tense concerned

Past participle concerned

Present participle concerning

1. (transitive) If $x$ concerns $y$, $x$ is about $y$.

   We have received a letter that concerns the recent sale of the property.

   The article is primarily concerned with Dylan's early life.

2. (transitive) If something concerns you, you think it is a problem or needs attention.

   The recent losses certainly concern me, but I still think things are looking good.

3. You use to whom it may concern at the beginning of a letter when you don't know the name of the person you're writing to.