What it means
A worrywart is the one who frets about everything, the friend who's already planning for the disaster that probably won't happen, who texts to check you got home safe and worries the picnic will be rained out three days early. It comes from a caring place, even if all that fretting is exhausting to be around. Said with affection and a small sigh.
Usage examples
"My mum's a total worrywart, she calls twice if I'm ten minutes late replying."
"Stop being such a worrywart, the flight's not for another six hours."
"Jess is such a worrywart, she packed snacks, plasters, and a charger for a two hour train ride."
"He's a sweet guy, just a bit of a worrywart when anyone doesn't text back straight away."
Where it comes from
It comes from Worry Wart, a character in the American comic strip Out Our Way by J. R. Williams in the 1920s. The name stuck, then wandered off the page and into everyday speech, where worrywart became a teasing, affectionate label for someone who frets over every tiny possible disaster.
