Anxious — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective /ˈaŋ(k)-shəs/ anx·ious

Meaning & Definition of Anxious

Anxious (adjective)

  1. characterized by extreme uneasiness of mind or brooding fear about some contingency, worried
  2. characterized by, resulting from, or causing anxiety, worrying
  3. ardently or earnestly wishing

Anxious (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. feeling or showing uncomfortable feelings of uncertainty

    "was anxious about the play tryouts scheduled for the following day"

    similar: aflutter, antsy, atwitter, dithery, edgy, goosey, het up, hinky (slang), hung up, ill at ease, insecure, jittery, jumpy, nervous, nervy, perturbed, queasy, tense, troubled, uneasy, unquiet, upset, uptight, worried, keyed up, on edge, on pins and needles, on tenterhooks
    related: aggrieved, bothered, concerned, disquieted, distraught, distressed, disturbed, freaked, freaked-out, shook-up, apprehensive, foreboding, hesitant, misgiving, fretful, fretting, stewing, vexed, qualmish, qualmy, flustered, twittered, undone, unnerved, unstrung, obsessed, preoccupied, restless, fidgety, flighty, fluttery, high-strung, hypertense, skittish, spooky
    opposite: calm, collected, cool, easy, happy-go-lucky, nerveless, relaxed
    near: confident, self-assured, self-confident, sure, controlled, self-controlled

  2. marked by or causing agitation or uncomfortable feelings

    "the whole crowd seemed to make an anxious gasp as the home team almost fumbled the ball"

    similar: agitating, creepy, disquieting, distressful, distressing, disturbing, fraught, hairy, nail-biting, nerve-racking, nervous, restless, tense, uneasy, unnerving, unsettling, worrisome
    related: bothersome, troublesome, foreboding, misgiving, discouraging, disheartening, strained, restive, unrestful, awkward, embarrassing
    opposite: calming, comfortable, easy, peaceful, quiet, quieting, tranquil
    near: restful, pacific

  3. showing urgent desire or interest

    "I'm anxious for my birthday party"

    similar: agog, antsy, ardent, athirst, avid, bonkers (informal), crazy, desirous, eager, enthused, enthusiastic, excited, gaga, geeked (slang), great, greedy, gung ho, hepped up, hopped-up, hot, hungry, impatient, juiced, keen, nuts, pumped, raring, solicitous, stoked (slang), thirsty, voracious, wild, champing at the bit, chomping at the bit
    related: engaged, interested, happy, hung up, obsessed, ambitious, appetent, covetous, craving, hankering, longing, pining, breathless, restive, restless, amenable, disposed, game, glad, inclined, ready, unreluctant, willing
    opposite: apathetic, indifferent, uneager, unenthusiastic
    near: casual, incurious, insouciant, nonchalant, unconcerned, uninterested, aloof, detached, disinterested, impassive, stolid, halfhearted, lackadaisical, languid, languorous, lukewarm, spiritless, averse, disinclined, hesitant, loath, reluctant, unwilling

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Anxious

The most common words with a similar meaning to Anxious:

Slang: hinky, geeked, stoked
Informal: bonkers
aflutter, antsy, atwitter, dithery, edgy, goosey, het up, hung up, ill at ease, insecure, jittery, jumpy, nervous, nervy, perturbed, queasy, tense, troubled, uneasy, unquiet, upset, uptight, worried, agitating, creepy, disquieting, distressful, distressing, disturbing, fraught, hairy, nail-biting, nerve-racking, restless, unnerving, unsettling, worrisome, agog, ardent, athirst

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Anxious

Words with the opposite meaning of Anxious:

calm, collected, cool, easy, happy-go-lucky, nerveless, relaxed, calming, comfortable, peaceful, quiet, quieting, tranquil, apathetic, indifferent, uneager, unenthusiastic

Related Words for Anxious

aggrieved, bothered, concerned, disquieted, distraught, distressed, disturbed, freaked, freaked-out, shook-up, apprehensive, foreboding, hesitant, misgiving, fretful, fretting, stewing, vexed, qualmish, qualmy, flustered, twittered, undone, unnerved, unstrung, obsessed, preoccupied, fidgety, flighty, fluttery

Near Antonyms of Anxious

confident, self-assured, self-confident, sure, controlled, self-controlled, restful, pacific, casual, incurious, insouciant, nonchalant, unconcerned, uninterested, aloof, detached, disinterested, impassive, stolid, halfhearted, lackadaisical, languid, languorous, lukewarm, spiritless, averse, disinclined, hesitant, loath, reluctant

Word Forms of Anxious

Derived words: anxiously (adverb), anxiousness (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Anxious

Latin anxius "worried, disturbed, uneasy, marked by or inducing anxiety or distress" (adjective derivative from the base of angere "to choke, cause pain to, afflict, vex") + -ous anger:1

First known use: 1548

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Anxious

  • Topics: Feelings & Emotions

Frequently Asked Questions about Anxious

What does "Anxious" mean?

"Anxious" means characterized by extreme uneasiness of mind or brooding fear about some contingency, worried. As an adjective, it is defined as: characterized by extreme uneasiness of mind or brooding fear about some contingency, worried. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Anxious"?

Other words for "Anxious" include aflutter, antsy, atwitter, dithery, edgy, goosey, het up and hinky. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Anxious" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Anxious"?

There are 137 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Anxious". Common alternatives include aflutter, antsy, atwitter, dithery, edgy, goosey, het up, hinky, hung up and ill at ease.

What is a slang word for "Anxious"?

Slang words for "Anxious" include hinky, geeked and stoked.

What is the opposite of "Anxious"?

Antonyms of "Anxious" include calm, collected, cool, easy, happy-go-lucky, nerveless, relaxed and calming. Near antonyms include confident, self-assured, self-confident and sure.

How do you use "Anxious" in a sentence?

Examples of "Anxious" in a sentence: "was anxious about the play tryouts scheduled for the following day"; "the whole crowd seemed to make an anxious gasp as the home team almost fumbled the ball"; "I'm anxious for my birthday party".

Is "Anxious" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Anxious" is an adjective.

How do you pronounce "Anxious"?

"Anxious" is pronounced /ˈaŋ(k)-shəs/ and divided into syllables as anx·ious.