adj
antsy
AN-tsee
adj
1
Restless, fidgety, and unable to sit still, often from impatience or nerves.
"The kids got antsy waiting for the movie to start."
"Investors are growing antsy about the delayed earnings report."
How to Use Antsy
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishFeeling restless or jittery, like you can't stay still or wait any longer.
Memory tip
It's informal — great for casual writing, but swap in "restless" or "impatient" for formal contexts.
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Common pairings
getting antsy
antsy to leave
feeling antsy
Word Forms
antsier comparative, antsiest superlative
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The kids got _____ waiting for the movie to start.
Etymology
Grew out of the American English phrase "ants in one's pants" — first recorded as rural Southern US slang in the early 1900s.