anxious
A state of feeling worried, nervous, or uneasy about an imminent event or something with an uncertain outcome. It can also describe a strong desire or eagerness to do something, often accompanied by a sense of tension.
Examples
3 of 5I’m getting a bit anxious about the weather for our outdoor picnic this weekend.
I am feeling worried that the weather might ruin our planned outdoor meal.
The board of directors is anxious that the proposed merger proceeds without further regulatory delays.
The directors are very concerned and eager for the merger to happen quickly.
Don't get all anxious; it's just a small presentation, not a final exam.
Stop being so worried; the task is not as important as a major test.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Word Family
Memory Tip
Think of the 'X' in anxious looking like a person crossing their arms in worry, or associate it with an 'anchor'—the heavy feeling in your stomach when you are nervous.
Quick Quiz
The candidate was ________ to hear the results of the final interview.
Correct!
The correct answer is: anxious
Examples
I’m getting a bit anxious about the weather for our outdoor picnic this weekend.
everydayI am feeling worried that the weather might ruin our planned outdoor meal.
The board of directors is anxious that the proposed merger proceeds without further regulatory delays.
formalThe directors are very concerned and eager for the merger to happen quickly.
Don't get all anxious; it's just a small presentation, not a final exam.
informalStop being so worried; the task is not as important as a major test.
Research indicates that students become increasingly anxious when faced with high-stakes standardized testing.
academicStudies show students feel more stress and worry during important exams.
Our clients are anxious to see the initial prototypes before the end of the quarter.
businessThe clients are very eager and impatient to review the early versions of the product.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
anxious for someone
Worried on behalf of another person's well-being
anxious moment
A brief period of time filled with fear or uncertainty
anxious eyes
A facial expression that reveals someone is worried
Often Confused With
Eager is purely positive excitement, while anxious often includes an element of worry or fear, even when meaning 'very wanting'.
Usage Notes
Use 'anxious about' when referring to a source of worry, and 'anxious to' followed by a verb when expressing a strong, slightly impatient desire to do something.
Common Mistakes
Learners often think 'anxious' only means 'worried,' but in professional contexts, it often means 'very eager' (e.g., 'anxious to start').
Memory Tip
Think of the 'X' in anxious looking like a person crossing their arms in worry, or associate it with an 'anchor'—the heavy feeling in your stomach when you are nervous.
Word Origin
Derived from the Latin 'anxius', which comes from 'angere', meaning 'to choke' or 'to cause distress'.
Grammar Patterns
Cultural Context
In many Western societies, 'anxious' is increasingly used in clinical contexts to discuss mental health, moving beyond simple everyday worry.
Quick Quiz
The candidate was ________ to hear the results of the final interview.
Correct!
The correct answer is: anxious
Related Vocabulary
Related Words
example
A1An example is a specific thing or person that shows what a group or a rule is like. It is used to help explain something more clearly so that others can understand it easily.
always
A1This word describes something that happens at all times or on every occasion. It is a frequency adverb used to talk about habits, permanent truths, or repeated actions.
result
A1A result is something that happens or exists because of something else that happened before. It is often used to describe the final score of a game, the grade on a test, or the outcome of a specific action.
reason
A1A reason is a cause or explanation for why something happens or why someone does something. It is the information that answers the question 'Why?'.
research
A1A detailed study of a subject, especially in order to discover (new) information or reach a (new) understanding. It involves gathering facts and data to test a theory or solve a problem.
girl
A1A female child or a young female person from birth until she reaches adulthood. It is also commonly used to refer to a daughter or, in informal settings, to a young woman.
food
A1Food refers to any substance consumed by living organisms to provide nutritional support for the body. It can be of plant, animal, or fungal origin and contains essential nutrients like carbohydrates, fats, and proteins.
moment
A1A very short period of time or a specific point in time. It is often used to ask someone to wait briefly or to describe a significant event occurring right now.
himself
A1A reflexive pronoun used as the object of a verb or preposition when the subject is a male person or animal previously mentioned. It is also used to emphasize that a specific man or boy did something personally or without help.
force
A1Force is the physical strength or energy that is used to push or pull an object. It can also refer to an organized group of people, such as the police or a military group.
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