anxious

adjective anx·ious \ˈaŋ(k)-shəs\

: afraid or nervous especially about what may happen : feeling anxiety

: causing or showing fear or nervousness

: wanting or eager to do or have something very much especially because of fear or nervousness

Full Definition of ANXIOUS

: characterized by extreme uneasiness of mind or brooding fear about some contingency : worried <anxious parents>

: characterized by, resulting from, or causing anxiety : worrying <an anxious night>

: ardently or earnestly wishing <anxious to learn more>

— anx·ious·ly adverb

— anx·ious·ness noun

See anxious defined for English-language learners

See anxious defined for kids

Examples of ANXIOUS

… to the eye anxious for reform in the city and forgetful of conditions in the countryside … —Joseph A. Amato, Dust, 2000
He was exhausted yet exhilarated, anxious … about getting on the ice with a team that had a chance to win. —Michael Farber, Sports Illustrated, 20 Mar. 2000
The individual states—fearful of losing industry and richer residents to lower-tax rivals and anxious to minimize their burden of needy citizens … —Atlantic, May 1997
He was so anxious to get a fly into the water that he had to reproach himself for haste. —John Cheever, The Wapshot Chronicle, 1957
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Origin of ANXIOUS

Latin anxius; akin to Latin angere to strangle, distress — more at anger

First Known Use: circa 1616

Related to ANXIOUS

Synonyms: aflutter, antsy, nervous, atwitter, dithery, edgy, goosey, het up, hinky [slang], hung up, ill at ease, insecure, jittery, jumpy, nervy, perturbed, queasy (also queazy), tense, troubled, uneasy, unquiet, upset, uptight, worried

Antonyms: calm, collected, cool, easy, happy-go-lucky, nerveless, relaxed

Synonym Discussion of ANXIOUS

eager, avid, keen, anxious, athirst mean moved by a strong and urgent desire or interest. eager implies ardor and enthusiasm and sometimes impatience at delay or restraint <eager to get started>. avid adds to eager the implication of insatiability or greed <avid for new thrills>. keen suggests intensity of interest and quick responsiveness in action <keen on the latest fashions>. anxious emphasizes fear of frustration or failure or disappointment <anxious not to make a social blunder>. athirst stresses yearning but not necessarily readiness for action <athirst for adventure>.