anxious

play

adjective anx·ious \ˈaŋ(k)-shəs\

Definition of anxious

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 They spent an anxious night.
3 : ardently or earnestly wishing She was anxious to learn more.

anxiously

adverb

anxiousness

noun

See anxious defined for English-language learners

See anxious defined for kids

Examples of anxious in a Sentence

… 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
She feels anxious and depressed.
People are anxious about the future.
He was anxious that the weather would not improve in time for the party.
We experienced a few anxious moments as we waited to hear the results of the test.
It was an anxious night as she waited for her children to come home.
He was waiting at the door with an anxious expression on his face.
He was anxious for more news.

Recent Examples of anxious from the Web

Greatly relieved, hubby heads home to his wife who is anxious for news about his visit to the doctor.

— bryant stamford, The Courier-Journal, "'Normal' at the doctor is not necessarily good," 20 July 2017
At this point the music, by Hans Zimmer, is a virtual cricket field of violins, the most anxious of all instruments.

— stephanie zacharek, Time, "Is a Masterpiece," 19 July 2017
Investors of all stripes, anxious not to miss out on the next Facebook or Uber, are lining up to throw money at young companies—but not everyone is happy about this.

— jeff john roberts, Fortune, "How ‘Tourist Capital’ Is Screwing Up Tech Investing," 18 July 2017
To be sure, animal researchers on both sides of the Atlantic can be anxious about going public.

— meredith wadman, Science | AAAS, "To woo public, Europe opens up on animal experiments, but U.S. less transparent," 14 July 2017
Also anxious, four states away, was Carol Dodge, Angie's mother, who prayed this new lead would finally unmask the killer who left his DNA at the scene.

— CBS News, "The DNA of a Killer," 12 July 2017
Yet the Fourth of July recess has not bolstered the political prospects for McConnell's legislation; GOP senators have been peppered with questions by constituents anxious about the potential impact on their coverage.

— author: juliet eilperin, amy goldstein, Alaska Dispatch News, "McConnell says GOP must shore up Obamacare insurance markets if Senate bill dies," 7 July 2017
Caffeine can temporarily raise blood pressure and affect heart rate, and can make people feel anxious and jittery.

— amanda macmillan, Health.com, "You Can Now Snort Chocolate, But Doctors Aren't Happy About It," 7 July 2017
A photograph of the encounter shows Merkel looking anxious as the black labrador settles near her feet.

— kim hjelmgaard, USA TODAY, "Putin used a dog to scare Merkel and other reasons they won't get along at G-20 summit," 3 July 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'anxious.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Can anxious Be Used as a Synonym for eager?

The fact that individual words can have multiple senses that are closely related in meaning is something which many people find objectionable about the English language. Anxious is an example of such a word, as people will use it to mean "worried," "eager (but with an undertone of worry)," and simply "eager."

The word has been used in the sense of "eager" for a considerable length of time, with evidence going back at least to the 17th century.

Origin and Etymology of anxious

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1548

See Words from the same year

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

Other Psychology Terms

fetish, hypochondria, intelligence, mania, narcissism, neurosis, pathological, psychosis, schadenfreude, subliminal

ANXIOUS Defined for English Language Learners

anxious

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adjective

Definition of anxious for English Language Learners

: 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

ANXIOUS Defined for Kids

anxious

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adjective anx·ious \ˈaŋk-shəs\

Definition of anxious for Students

1 : afraid or nervous about what may happen The parents were anxious about the child's health.
2 : causing or showing fear or nervousness an anxious moment
3 : wanting very much : eager She is anxious to get home.

anxiously

adverb Her parents waited anxiously for her.

Medical Dictionary

anxious

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adjective anx·ious \ˈaŋ(k)-shəs\

Medical Definition of anxious

1: characterized by extreme uneasiness of mind or brooding fear about some contingency anxious students
2: characterized by, resulting from, or causing anxiety an anxious time in the hospital waiting room