anticipatory-anxiety
/ænˌtɪs.ɪˈpeɪ.tər.i æŋˈzaɪ.ə.ti/ IELTSAcademic
noun
Anticipatory anxiety is worry that happens before a future event. It is fear about what may happen, not what is happening now.
- She felt anticipatory anxiety before her interview.
- His anticipatory anxiety made it hard to sleep.
- Many students get anticipatory anxiety before exams.
Adinary Nuance
Anticipatory anxiety is not the same as general anxiety. It points to worry linked to a specific future event, like a test, meeting, or flight. It is also stronger and more precise than simple nervousness. Writers use it when they want to show fear before something happens.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- lo âu trước sự việc
- Spanish
- ansiedad anticipatoria
- Chinese
- 预期焦虑
- Japanese
- 予期不安
- Korean
- 예기 불안
Etymology
The word combines Latin-based anticipatory, from anticipate, and anxiety, from Latin anxietas. It became common in psychology and health writing in the 20th century.
Common phrases
anticipatory anxiety before an examanticipatory anxiety about the interviewfeel anticipatory anxietyreduce anticipatory anxiety
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is anticipatory anxiety a formal word?
- Yes. It is common in psychology, medical writing, and academic English.
- How is anticipatory anxiety different from anxiety?
- Anxiety is broader. Anticipatory anxiety is worry about a future event.
- Can I use anticipatory anxiety in everyday speaking?
- Yes, but it sounds more formal than nervousness or worry.
- Is anticipatory anxiety used in IELTS writing?
- Yes. It can help you describe stress before an event clearly.