adj
anxious
ANGK-shuhs
adj
1
Feeling nervous or worried, especially about something uncertain or upcoming.
"She was anxious about her exam results."
"He grew anxious as the flight was delayed again."
2
Eagerly wanting something, often with a hint of impatience.
"They were anxious to get started on the renovation."
How to Use Anxious
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishNervous or worried — or, in a slightly different sense, keenly eager.
Common mistake
In careful writing, "anxious to" (eager, maybe with worry) is sometimes distinguished from "eager to" (purely positive) — but in everyday speech they're used interchangeably.
Common pairings
anxious about
anxious to please
grow anxious
Word Forms
more anxious comparative, anxiouser comparative, most anxious superlative, anxiousest superlative
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She was _____ about her exam results.
Etymology
From Latin anxius, from angere ("to choke, cause pain") — the same root gives us "anger" and "anguish."