Concern

[kuh n-surn] /kənˈsɜrn/

verb (used with object)
1.
to relate to; be connected with; be of interest or importance to; affect:
The water shortage concerns us all.
2.
to interest or engage (used reflexively or in the passive, often followed by with or in):
She concerns herself with every aspect of the business.
3.
to trouble, worry, or disquiet:
I am concerned about his health.
noun
4.
something that relates or pertains to a person; business; affair:
Law is the concern of lawyers.
5.
a matter that engages a person’s attention, interest, or care, or that affects a person’s welfare or happiness:
The party was no concern of his.
6.
worry, solicitude, or anxiety:
to show concern for someone in trouble.
7.
important relation or bearing:
This news is of concern to all of us.
8.
a commercial or manufacturing company or establishment:
the headquarters of an insurance concern.
9.
Informal. any material object or contrivance.
/kənˈsɜːn/
verb (transitive)
1.
to relate to; be of importance or interest to; affect
2.
usually foll by with or in. to involve or interest (oneself): he concerns himself with other people’s affairs
noun
3.
something that affects or is of importance to a person; affair; business
4.
regard for or interest in a person or a thing: he felt a strong concern for her
5.
anxiety, worry, or solicitude
6.
important bearing or relation: his news has great concern for us
7.
a commercial company or enterprise
8.
(informal) a material thing, esp one of which one has a low opinion
v.

early 15c., “perceive, distinguish,” also “refer to, relate to,” from Middle French concerner, from Medieval Latin concernere “concern, touch, belong to,” figurative use of Late Latin concernere “to sift, mix, as in a sieve,” from Latin com- “with” (see com-) + cernere “to sift,” hence “perceive, comprehend” (see crisis). Apparently the sense of the prefix shifted to intensive in Medieval Latin. Meaning “worry” is 17c. Related: Concerned; concerning. Letter opening to whom it may concern attested by 1740.
n.

1580s, from concern (v.).

Related Terms

a going concern
see: