adj
antsy
AN-tsee
Antsy (adj) means Restless, fidgety, and unable to sit still, often from impatience or nerves. Example: “The kids got antsy waiting for the movie to start.”
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.
Trace the full origin ↓
Common pairings
getting antsy
antsy to leave
feeling antsy
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Word forms
- Comparative
- antsier
- Superlative
- antsiest
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
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.
Class of 1900
antsy joined the language around 1900.
See the full Class of 1900 →
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “antsy” mean?
The word “antsy” means restless, fidgety, and unable to sit still, often from impatience or nerves. In plain terms, feeling restless or jittery, like you can't stay still or wait any longer.
How do you pronounce “antsy”?
“Antsy” is pronounced AN-tsee (/ˈæn.tsi/ in IPA).
How do you use “antsy” in a sentence?
Here is “antsy” used in a sentence: “The kids got antsy waiting for the movie to start.”
What part of speech is “antsy”?
“Antsy” is an adjective.
Where does the word “antsy” come from?
The word “antsy” dates back to around 1900. Grew out of the American English phrase "ants in one's pants" — first recorded as rural Southern US slang in the early 1900s.
