anxious

adjective

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

4 meanings of anxious

1
adjective
Feeling worried and nervous.
Like the jumpy feeling you get right before a big test.
She felt anxious before her first day at a new school.
The long wait at the doctor's office left him anxious and restless.
Similarnervous, worried, uneasy, tense, jittery
Oppositecalm, relaxed, composed
2
adjective
Very worried about something that might happen later or that you do not know about.
Like waiting for news when you are scared it might be bad.
Investors grew anxious as rumors of a market crash spread.
She was anxious about the test results she hadn't yet received.
Similarworried, concerned, apprehensive, uneasy, fearful
Oppositeunconcerned, calm, confident
3
adjective
Wanting to do or have something very much.
Like a kid counting down the days until a trip.
They were anxious to leave before the storm hit.
He was anxious for news of his brother far away.
Similareager, keen, impatient, desperate
Oppositereluctant, unwilling, loath, hesitant
4
adjective
Full of worry, or making people worry.
Like the tense feeling in a room just before a big announcement.
They spent an anxious night waiting for the rescue team to call.
The final minutes of the match were anxious for everyone in the stands.
Similartense, stressful, uneasy, fraught, nervous
Oppositerelaxed, calm, peaceful

Practice

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Origin

It comes from Latin anxius, from angō meaning "to cause pain" or "to choke."