careworn

American  

[kair-wawrn, -wohrn] / ˈkɛərˌwɔrn, -ˌwoʊrn /

adjective

1. showing signs of care or worry; fatigued by trouble or anxiety; haggard.

   a careworn old woman.

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careworn British  

/ ˈkɛəˌwɔːn /

adjective

1. showing signs of care, stress, worry, etc

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Etymology

Origin of careworn

First recorded in 1820–30; care + worn

Explanation

A person who's careworn is so tired that it shows on her face. New parents who have been up all night with a crying baby often appear careworn. Nights of interrupted sleep, working a late shift, and traveling a long distance can all make you a bit careworn. Simply fretting or worrying about something is another way for your expression to be careworn. The word emerged in the 19th century, from care, with its Old English root caru, "sorrow or anxiety," and worn, from its sense of worn out, or exhausted.

Example Sentences

"We know our path now," says Ahmed Alhashemi, 42, scrolling through the email, a small smile breaking across his careworn face.

From BBC • Oct. 2, 2025

By the time he announced his intention to resign, Benedict was 85, frail and careworn, and had cut down on his public appearances.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 31, 2022

But Grace Greenwood of the New York Times noted his “pale, careworn, and sad” appearance.

From Washington Post • Sep. 12, 2022

If you didn’t say hear a security guard say, “It’s Elvis Presley!” you wouldn’t know Michael Shannon’s careworn, sullen Elvis was supposed to be the King.

From New York Times • Jun. 27, 2022

He seemed much older and more careworn than before.

From "Escape from Camp 14: One Man's Remarkable Odyssey from North Korea to Freedom in the West" by Blaine Harden