angst
pronunciation
How to pronounce angst in British English:
UK [æŋst]
How to pronounce angst in American English:
US [ɑŋkst]
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- Noun:
- an acute but unspecific feeling of anxiety; usually reserved for philosophical anxiety about the world or about personal freedom
Word Origin
- angst (n.)
- 1944, from German Angst "neurotic fear, anxiety, guilt, remorse," from Old High German angust, from the root of anger. George Eliot used it (in German) in 1849, and it was popularized in English by translation of Freud's work, but as a foreign word until 1940s. Old English had a cognate word, angsumnes "anxiety," but it died out.
Example
- 1. Angst is a big factor in asia , too .
- 2. That might mitigate a bit of the angst over asia pulling ahead .
- 3. The problem for mongolia is its existential angst about its giant neighbour .
- 4. The political pressures are grounded in the angst of american workers .
- 5. You can sense the energy and angst in this portrait .