'angst' originates from German, specifically the word 'Angst', where the root 'Angst' meant 'fear; anxiety' (ultimately from Proto-Germanic 'angustiz' and Proto-Indo-European root 'angh-' meaning 'to press tight; distress').

'Angst' entered English via German (and also via Scandinavian philosophical usage) through 19th–20th century existentialist and psychological writings, and eventually became the modern English word 'angst'.

Initially, it meant 'fear; anxiety', but in English it developed a specialized sense of 'existential anxiety' and later broadened to include general moody worry, especially among youth.