anxious

anxiousadjective

1. worriedfeeling worried or nervous about something that might happen

   comparative with more [more]

   • She felt anxious about the test results.
   • He was anxious about his son's first day at school.
   • They gave an anxious look at the darkening sky.
   • I'm anxious about flying.

   Collocations

   adjective + preposition anxious about

   adverb + adjective very anxious, extremely anxious

   adjective + noun an anxious look, an anxious wait

   Synonyms worried; nervous

   Antonyms calm

   Compare afraid

   For translators (sense 1)

   Grammar trap Anxious takes about before the cause of worry, not of: anxious about the exam.

2. eagerwanting very much to do something

   comparative with more [more] predicative only [pred]

   • She was anxious to prove herself.
   • He's anxious to get started on the new project.
   • We're anxious to hear the results.

   Collocations

   phrase anxious to please, anxious to help

   Synonyms eager

See also afraid