What does concern mean?
Concern is one of English's most versatile words, functioning as both a noun and a verb with closely related meanings. As a noun, it denotes worry or anxiety about something that matters — "her concern for his health" — as well as a matter of interest, responsibility, or involvement: "education is a parental concern." In formal British usage it can also mean a business or enterprise, as in "a going concern." As a verb, concern means to relate to or affect someone ("this letter concerns your application") or to cause worry ("the rise in prices concerns many families"). The word carries a serious, thoughtful connotation rather than panic; expressing concern signals care without alarm. It derives from the Latin cernere, meaning to sift or distinguish, making it an etymological cousin of words like discern and certain. Its flexibility across emotional, practical, and commercial registers makes it indispensable in both everyday speech and formal writing.
A feeling of worry or anxiety about something important; also a matter of interest, importance, or responsibility to someone.
"The safety of the workers is our primary concern."
In formal British English, concern can also mean a business or enterprise, as in 'a going concern.'
To relate to, involve, or affect someone or something; or to make someone feel worried or anxious.
"The new regulations concern every business in the region."
The plural is standard and common, especially when referring to multiple worries or matters of interest raised by different people or parties.
"Local residents voiced their concerns about the proposed development."
"Concern" and "discern" are siblings — both come from Latin cernere, "to sift or distinguish," so when you discern a problem you literally begin to be concerned about it.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of concern
Concern entered English in the early 17th century, borrowed from French concerner, which itself came from the Late Latin concernere, formed from com- ("together") plus cernere ("to sift, distinguish, decide"). The original sense involved things being mixed together or pertaining to one another, which evolved into the modern meanings of relating to and affecting someone. It shares this Latin root with discern, certain, discreet, and concert, all of which trace back to cernere's core idea of separating or distinguishing one thing from another.
Related word forms
How concern is actually used
Concern is neutral-to-formal in register and appears frequently in news, business, and official writing. As a verb in the passive — "as far as X is concerned" or "we are concerned" — it is a common idiom. The business sense ("a going concern") is more formal and somewhat old-fashioned but still current in financial contexts.
Easily confused with concern
Concernment is a rare, now largely archaic noun meaning importance or interest, whereas concern is the standard modern word for worry or involvement.