eager

[ee-ger]

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.

eager

¹

/ 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

eager

²

/ ˈeɪɡə /

noun

1. a variant spelling of eagre

Other Word Forms

• eagerly adverb
• eagerness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of eager¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of eager¹

C13: from Old French egre, from Latin acer sharp, keen

Synonym Study

See avid.

Example Sentences

The latter Florida park is home to a monsters-themed land that Slash said he was eager to see.

From Los Angeles Times

A strong opening weekend box office take for “Alien: Romulus” proves how eager we are to see Ridley Scott’s franchise return to its roots.

From Salon

McVay is eager to see what the veterans can do together.

From Los Angeles Times

Three years ago, Clay Helton stood knee deep in that creek for his baptism, eager to start anew.

From Los Angeles Times

"They are very eager to learn, so teaching them is very satisfying."

From BBC

Related Words

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