eager

American  

[ee-ger] / ˈi gər /

adjective

1. keen or ardent in desire or feeling; impatiently longing.

   I am eager for news about them. He is eager to sing.

   Synonyms:

   interested, desirous, enthusiastic

   Antonyms:

   uninterested, indifferent, apathetic

2. characterized by or revealing great earnestness.

   an eager look.

   Synonyms:

   earnest, intense, intent, fervid, zealous, fervent

   Antonyms:

   negligent, heedless

3. Obsolete. keen; sharp; biting.

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eager ¹ British  

/ ˈiːɡə /

adjective

1. (postpositive; often foll by to or for) impatiently desirous (of); anxious or avid (for)

   he was eager to see her departure

2. characterized by or feeling expectancy or great desire

   an eager look

3. archaic tart or biting; sharp

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eager ² British  

/ ˈeɪɡə /

noun

1. a variant spelling of eagre

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Related Words

See avid.

Other Word Forms

• eagerly adverb
• eagerness noun

Etymology

Origin of eager

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English egre, from Anglo-French, Old French egre, aigre, from Vulgar Latin (unattested) ācrus for Latin ācer “sharp”

Compare meaning

How does eager compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• anxious vs. eager

Example Sentences

Still, he was eager to explore a fresh frontier.

From Los Angeles Times

Scientists are eager to understand how these systems are changing as the climate shifts.

From Science Daily

Catch up: The post-apocalyptic drama “Paradise” just ended its second season with another wild twist that should leave viewers eager for the third and final season next year.

From MarketWatch

Maggie tried not to appear too eager, but she took a big drink.

From Literature

I have seen it myself: their hazy ghost bodies slithering into the glowing blue, eager to coil up and rest, untouched and unbothered for eternity.

From Literature

Related Words

• ambitious
• greedy
• hungry
• impatient
• keen
• restless
• thirsty