What does unworried mean?
Unworried is an adjective meaning calm, unperturbed, and free from anxiety or concern. It describes a person's emotional state rather than the absence of a particular difficulty: someone may be unworried even when circumstances are difficult, because they are not becoming anxious about them. The word is especially natural in phrases involving a smile, expression, manner, or attitude, all of which can visibly suggest steadiness and composure. Unlike a simple synonym such as calm, however, unworried specifically focuses on the absence of worry and may convey reassurance or emotional resilience. It is standard in both British and American English, though it can sound more literary than everyday alternatives such as relaxed or easygoing. Unworried is formed from the prefix un-, meaning not, and the adjective worried, making it a direct and transparent English expression.
adjectiveNot worried or anxious; calm and unperturbed.
- Free from worry, anxiety, or alarm.
"She remained unworried despite the sudden change in plans."
"The doctor sounded unworried, which helped put the patient at ease."
"Despite the delays, he kept an unworried expression throughout the journey."
Unworried turns the absence of anxiety into a vivid description of calm.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does unworried come from?
Unworried is an English formation combining the prefix un-, meaning not, with worried, the past-participle form of worry. The prefix un- is widely used in English to reverse or negate the meaning of an adjective. The resulting word follows the same productive pattern found in adjectives such as unwrapped and unlocked, while its semantic base is the Germanic verb worry.
Related word forms
How unworried is actually used
The word is neutral but has a somewhat literary or traditional tone, especially in formal descriptions of a person's demeanor. It is standard in both British and American English.
Easily confused with unworried
An unworried person is not anxious, whereas an unwary person is insufficiently alert or cautious.