Angst

Pronunciation: /æŋst/

Definitions of angst

noun a feeling of deep anxiety or dread, typically an unfocused one about the human condition or the state of the world

Example Sentences

A1 She felt a sense of angst before taking her final exam.

A2 The protagonist in the story experienced angst as he struggled with his inner demons.

B1 Many teenagers go through a period of angst as they try to figure out who they are.

B2 The artist's paintings often reflect a sense of existential angst and longing.

C1 The novel delves deep into the characters' angst and inner turmoil.

C2 The film beautifully captures the protagonist's existential angst and search for meaning in life.

Examples of angst in a Sentence

formal The protagonist in the novel experienced a great deal of angst as he struggled to find his purpose in life.

informal I can't deal with all this angst right now, I just want to relax and have fun.

slang She's always full of angst about everything, it's exhausting to be around her.

figurative The dark clouds in the sky reflected the protagonist's inner angst and turmoil.

Grammatical Forms of angst

• past tense: angsted
• plural: angsts
• comparative: more angst
• superlative: most angst
• present tense: angsts
• future tense: will angst
• perfect tense: have angsted
• continuous tense: is angsting
• singular: angst
• positive degree: angst
• infinitive: to angst
• gerund: angsting
• participle: angsted

Origin and Evolution of angst

First Known Use: 1944 year

Language of Origin: Danish/Norwegian

Story behind the word: The word 'angst' originated from the Danish and Norwegian word 'angest', which is derived from the Old Norse word 'angr' meaning 'anxiety'.

Evolution of the word: Originally used in existentialist philosophy to describe a deep feeling of dread or anxiety, 'angst' has evolved to be commonly used in English to convey a sense of unease or apprehension.