anxious

adjective

SayANGK-shuhs/ˈæŋ(k).ʃəs/UK/ˈæŋ(k)ʃəs/

4 meanings of anxious

1
adjective
Feeling nervous and worried.
He grew anxious when his phone rang late at night.
The unfamiliar noises in the old house made her anxious all evening.
Similarnervous, worried, uneasy, tense, jittery
Oppositecalm, relaxed, composed
2
adjective
Feeling deep unease and extreme concern, especially about something in the future or something unknown.
Parents are often anxious about how their children will cope away from home.
The crew became anxious as the storm closed in and the radio fell silent.
Similarworried, concerned, apprehensive, uneasy, fearful
Oppositeunconcerned, calm, confident
3
adjective
Earnestly wanting something; keenly eager to do or obtain it.
The new recruits were anxious to prove themselves on their first assignment.
She was anxious for a chance to present her idea to the board.
Similareager, keen, impatient, desperate
Oppositereluctant, unwilling, loath, hesitant
4
adjective
Filled with or causing anxiety; describing a time or situation that is worrying.
The hours before the surgery were the most anxious of her life.
An anxious silence settled over the courtroom as the jury filed back in.
Similartense, stressful, uneasy, fraught, nervous
Oppositerelaxed, calm, peaceful

Practice

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Origin

Borrowed from Latin anxius, from angō ("to cause pain, choke"), and akin to the Ancient Greek ánkhō ("to choke"); it is related to "anger" and "angst."