angst
UK[æŋst]US[ɑːŋst]
n
a feeling of persistent worry about something with an uncertain outcome, often accompanied by a sense of dread or unease.
n
(in existentialist philosophy) a state of anxiety arising from awareness of one's own free will and the responsibilities it entails.
Etymology
the word 'angst' was borrowed directly from german in the 19th century, where it means 'fear' or 'anxiety.' its germanic root is angustu-, which is derived from the proto-indo-european root angh-, meaning 'tight,' 'painfully constricted,' or 'to choke.' this ancient sense of constriction provides a vivid, physical metaphor for the psychological experience of anxiety. the term gained significant philosophical depth through the works of søren kierkegaard and later existentialist thinkers, who used it to describe the profound anxiety stemming from human freedom and responsibility. in modern english, it retains this specialized philosophical meaning while also being used more broadly for a deep-seated, often vague feeling of dread.
Analysis
this word is a direct loanword from german and is not productively segmented using english morphemes.
Examples
a wave of existential angst washed over him as he contemplated the limitless choices before him.
the film perfectly captures the angst and uncertainty of teenage life.
her writing is filled with a sense of angst about the future of the environment.