anxious

[ angk-shuhs, ang- ]

adjective

1. full of mental distress or uneasiness because of fear of danger or misfortune; greatly worried; apprehensive:

   Her parents were anxious about her poor health.

   Synonyms: enthusiastic, solicitous, uneasy, fearful, disturbed, concerned

   Antonyms: confident, calm

2. earnestly desirous; eager (usually followed by an infinitive or for ): anxious for our happiness.

   anxious to please;

   anxious for our happiness.

   Antonyms: hesitant, reluctant

3. attended with or showing solicitude or uneasiness:

   anxious forebodings.

anxious

/ ˈæŋkʃəs; ˈæŋʃəs /

adjective

1. worried and tense because of possible misfortune, danger, etc; uneasy
2. fraught with or causing anxiety; worrying; distressing

   an anxious time

3. intensely desirous; eager

   anxious for promotion

Derived Forms

• ˈanxiousness, noun
• ˈanxiously, adverb

Other Words From

• anx·ious·ly adverb
• anx·ious·ness noun
• qua·si-anx·ious adjective
• un·anx·ious adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of anxious¹

First recorded in 1615–25; from Latin anxius “worried, distressed,” derivative of angere “to strangle, pain, distress”; anguish, -ous

Word History and Origins

Origin of anxious¹

C17: from Latin anxius; related to Latin angere to torment; see anger , anguish

Example Sentences

This project was a celebration of “Achtung Baby,” so we’re anxious to do something that’s about new work.

From Los Angeles Times

The tribalism and polarisation that is often evident in the Church makes some anxious that a skilled politician at the top is the only way the institution does not start to fracture.

From BBC

Liberals, meanwhile, have subsisted on a diet of anxious pundits and columnists to prepare for whatever is to come in January.

From Slate

From Politico: “Pentagon officials anxious Trump might fire military’s top general.”

From Salon

Despite her years of acting experience, she admits to being anxious about stepping onto the set.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• afraid
• apprehensive
• careful
• concerned
• distressed
• fearful
• fidgety
• jittery
• nervous
• restless
• scared
• uneasy
• uptight