eager

adjective

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ea·ger | \ ˈē-gər

Definition of eager

1 : marked by enthusiastic or impatient desire or interest

2a archaic : sharp

b obsolete : sour

Other Words from eager Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym Example Sentences Learn More about eager

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Choose the Right Synonym for 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. 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

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 on the Web Long haulers are eager for more research, including Carlton, who misses her work assisting in a classroom and her home life as soccer mom and family cook. — al, "What is long COVID? UAB’s Dr. Michael Saag says some patients suffer for months," 31 Dec. 2020 Long haulers are eager for more research, including Carlton, who misses her work assisting in a classroom and her home life as soccer mom and family cook. — Meredith Cohn, baltimoresun.com, "Fatigue, loss of smell, organ damage: A range of symptoms plague many Marylanders long after COVID-19 infection," 30 Dec. 2020 The gift many Americans were eager for this year has arrived: a vaccine against COVID-19. — Robert A. George And Bloomberg Opinion, Star Tribune, "On jumping in the vaccine line, give politicians a break," 29 Dec. 2020 After finishing all eight episodes, you've quickly became captivated by the Bridgerton family and are already eager for a season two. — Perri Ormont Blumberg, Southern Living, "Netflix's Bridgerton Is Based on a Book Series by Julia Quinn," 29 Dec. 2020 Meanwhile, Scottish nationalists are eager for another shot at independence. — Jason Douglas, WSJ, "Boris Johnson’s Post-Brexit Plan for Britain Remains a Puzzle," 28 Dec. 2020 His coverage of murderers and disasters has piqued the interest of millions of readers, many of whom were eager for the chance to ask him questions directly. — Jenna Fowler, SFChronicle.com, "Zodiac Killer and the ‘340 Cipher’: Our reporter answers your questions," 18 Dec. 2020 Democrats were demanding this fall before the election, but B iden is eager for an aid package to prop up the economy and help the jobless and poor. — Andrew Taylor, ajc, "Shutdown deadline looms over COVID-19 relief talks," 18 Dec. 2020 President-elect Joe Biden is eager for an aid package to prop up the economy and deliver direct aid to the jobless and hungry, even though the package falls short of what Democrats want. — Arkansas Online, "Final stretch on covid-19 economic relief, but no deal yet," 17 Dec. 2020

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.

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Last Updated

13 Jan 2021

Cite this Entry

“Eager.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/eager. Accessed 22 Jan. 2021.

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More Definitions for eager

eager

adjective

English Language Learners Definition of eager

: very excited and interested : feeling a strong and impatient desire to do something or for something

See the full definition for eager in the English Language Learners Dictionary

eager

adjective

ea·ger | \ ˈē-gər

Kids Definition of eager

: very excited and interested … bright eager eyes were looking up into hers …— Lewis Carroll, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland

Choose the Right Synonym for 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. Eager travelers waited for their train. anxious is used when there is fear of failure or disappointment. I was anxious to learn who won. keen is used when there is great interest and readiness to act. The new scouts are keen to learn.