Main Entry:

anx·ious

Pronunciation:

\ˈaŋ(k)-shəs\

Function:

adjective

Etymology:

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

Date:

circa 1616

1 : characterized by extreme uneasiness of mind or brooding fear about some contingency : worried <anxious parents> 2 : characterized by, resulting from, or causing anxiety : worrying <an anxious night> 3 : ardently or earnestly wishing <anxious to learn more>

synonyms see eager

— anx·ious·ly adverb

— anx·ious·ness noun