Definition of eager
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eagerly
adverb
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Examples of eager in a Sentence
- … wine connoisseurs eager to visit cellars and late-fall pilgrims seeking the increasingly rare white truffle … —Corby Kummer, Atlantic, August 2000
- … so many religions were steeped in an absolutist frame of mind—each convinced that it alone had a monopoly on the truth and therefore eager for the state to impose this truth on others. —Carl Sagan, The Demon-Haunted World, 1996
She was eager to get started.
The crowd was eager for more.
Recent Examples of eager from the Web
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The party’s liberal base is eager for a confrontation over any Trump nominee.
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Buyers were even cutting big checks for land inside the demilitarized zone, which is off-limits to civilians, eager to sign deals after viewing land through satellite images.
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Many workers are eager for overtime, China Labor Watch said.
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Of course, Pokémon’s strongest card has long been that of nostalgia, and Game Freak is eager to reintroduce those original 151 monsters to the general public.
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The racing part is over, but Patrick is eager to start this next phase of her life where being a businesswoman is the focus.
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It's been 20 years since the state elected a Democratic governor and Republicans are eager for the latest fight.
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Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line is eager for your business.
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Many businesses in the Broad Ripple neighborhood on Indianapolis' north side are eager for upcoming changes.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'eager.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of eager
Middle English egre, from Anglo-French egre, aigre, from Latin acer — more at edge
NEW! Time Traveler
First Known Use: 14th century
in the meaning defined at sense 1a
See Words from the same yeareager Synonyms
Synonyms
agog, antsy, anxious, ardent, athirst, avid, crazy, desirous, enthused, enthusiastic, excited, great, greedy, gung ho, hot, hungry, impatient, keen, nuts, pumped, raring, solicitous, thirsty, voracious, wild;
Antonyms
Near Antonyms
casual, incurious, insouciant, nonchalant, unconcerned, uninterested;
aloof, detached, disinterested;
halfhearted, lackadaisical, languid, languorous, lukewarm, spiritless;
averse, disinclined, hesitant, loath (also loth), reluctant, unwilling;
Related Words
ambitious, appetent, covetous, craving, hankering, longing, pining;
breathless, restive, restless;
amenable, disposed, game, glad, inclined, ready, unreluctant, willing;
Phrases
champing at the bit, chomping at the bit;
Synonym Discussion of eager
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.
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- eager to get started
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- avid for new thrills
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- keen on the latest fashions
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- anxious not to make a social blunder
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- athirst for adventure
EAGER Defined for English Language Learners
Definition of eager for English Language Learners
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: very excited and interested : feeling a strong and impatient desire to do something or for something
EAGER Defined for Kids
Definition of eager for Students
: very excited and interested
- … bright eager eyes were looking up into hers …
- —Lewis Carroll, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland
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eagerly
adverb
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eagerness
nounSynonym Discussion of eager
eager, anxious, and keen mean having or showing a strong desire or interest. eager is used when there is much enthusiasm and often impatience.
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- Eager travelers waited for their train.
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- I was anxious to learn who won.
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- The new scouts are keen to learn.
Learn More about eager
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See words that rhyme with eager Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for eager Spanish Central: Translation of eager Nglish: Translation of eager for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of eager for Arabic speakers
Seen and Heard
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