anxious
ANGK-shuhs
Anxious (adj) means feeling nervous or worried, especially about something uncertain or upcoming. Example: “I always feel anxious before speaking in front of a large group.”
adj
1
Feeling nervous or worried, especially about something uncertain or upcoming.
"I always feel anxious before speaking in front of a large group."
"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.
"The children were anxious to open their presents as soon as they woke."
"I'm anxious for you to meet my sister, because you will get on well."
"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
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more anxious, anxiouser
- Superlative
- most anxious, anxiousest
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
I always feel _____ before speaking in front of a large group.
Etymology
From Latin anxius, from angere ("to choke, cause pain") — the same root gives us "anger" and "anguish."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for anxious
See all rhymes for anxious →Frequently asked questions
What does “anxious” mean?
The word “anxious” means feeling nervous or worried, especially about something uncertain or upcoming. In plain terms, nervous or worried — or, in a slightly different sense, keenly eager.
How do you pronounce “anxious”?
“Anxious” is pronounced ANGK-shuhs (/ˈeɪ̯ŋkʃəs/ in IPA).
How do you use “anxious” in a sentence?
Here is “anxious” used in a sentence: “She was anxious about her exam results.”
What part of speech is “anxious”?
“Anxious” is an adjective.
Where does the word “anxious” come from?
The word “anxious” comes from Latin. From Latin anxius, from angere ("to choke, cause pain") — the same root gives us "anger" and "anguish.".
Is “anxious” a common word?
“Anxious” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “anxious” have?
“Anxious” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: feeling nervous or worried, especially about something uncertain or upcoming.
What is the difference between anxious and eager?
Eager means keenly wanting something in a positive way, while anxious traditionally means nervous or worried. Anxious can also mean eagerly wanting something, but with a hint of unease or impatience, so "anxious to start" carries more tension than "eager to start."
What is the difference between anxious and nervous?
Nervous describes a temporary jittery feeling, often before a specific event, while anxious suggests deeper or more lasting worry, especially about something uncertain or upcoming. The two overlap, but anxious tends to feel heavier and more sustained.
What prepositions are used with anxious?
Anxious is commonly followed by "about" for worry, as in "anxious about the exam," and by "for" or "to" for eager wanting, as in "anxious for news" or "anxious to leave." The preposition helps signal which meaning is intended.
