concern

con|cern1 [ kən`sɜrn ] noun ***

▸ 1 feeling of worry

▸ 2 something you think important

▸ 3 feeling you care for someone

▸ 4 a responsibility

▸ 5 a business

▸ + PHRASES

1. ) uncount a feeling of worry about something, especially one that a lot of people have about an important issue:

concern about/over/at: Many people expressed concern over moves to restore the death penalty.

There's a lot of public concern about modern farming methods.

concern that: There is some concern that the country may slide into civil war.

express/voice concern: Many people have voiced concern over the proposed changes in the law.

cause concern/be a cause for concern: Her doctor said her condition was causing concern.

growing/widespread concern: There is growing concern about the safety of cell phones.

a matter of concern (=something that makes people feel worried): The issue of alcohol-related crime is becoming a matter of great concern.

a ) count something that worries you:

Landfill sites raise some important environmental concerns.

main/major concern: Eighteen percent of people said unemployment was their main concern.

raise/express/voice concerns: Many doctors have raised concerns about the drug.

2. ) count or uncount something that you think is important:

My only concern is to find my daughter.

main/primary/major concern: Our primary concern is to give our clients a professional service.

3. ) uncount a feeling that you care about someone and want them to be happy and well:

concern for: He showed a complete lack of concern for the children's welfare.

genuine concern: Are you alright? she said with genuine concern.

4. ) singular always in negatives if something is not your concern, you are not responsible for it and do not need to become involved in it:

His private life is no concern of ours.

a ) if something is your concern, you are responsible for it and have to deal with it:

If those children are skipping school then that is the parents' concern.

5. ) count a business:

a large concern employing 600 people

of concern to someone

if something is of concern to you, you think it is important and you feel worried about it:

of major/great concern: It's an issue of major concern to employers.

concern

con|cern 2 [ kən`sɜrn ] verb transitive ***

1. ) never passive to worry someone:

It concerns me that these people are not getting the support they need.

We want to know about the issues that concern you, the voters.

2. ) never passive to be about a particular subject:

The story concerns a man who was a friend of mine.

3. ) never progressive to involve or affect someone:

My past doesn't concern you.

These changes concern everyone who has school-age children.

concern yourself

to pay attention to something because it is important or because it worries you:

concern yourself with: I'm too busy to concern myself with such trivial matters.

concern yourself about: There's nothing in the doctor's report to concern yourself about.

to whom it may concern FORMAL

used for beginning a very formal letter that is not written to a particular person