What does anxious mean?
Anxious is an adjective describing a state of worry, unease, or nervousness about an uncertain outcome — the feeling that grips someone waiting for exam results, facing a difficult conversation, or anticipating bad news. It can describe both an inner emotional state ('she felt anxious') and outwardly visible signs of it ('an anxious glance'). A second, well-established sense means strongly wanting something: someone who is 'anxious to begin' is eager to get started. This eagerness sense carries no negative tone, which sometimes surprises learners, though some formal writers prefer 'eager' when worry isn't intended. The word derives from the Latin anxius, related to angere, 'to choke or squeeze', the same root behind anguish and anger — a fitting lineage for a word whose physical hallmark is a tight chest. Common collocations include 'anxious about', 'anxious for', and 'anxious to'. Related forms include the adverb 'anxiously' and the noun 'anxiety'.
Feeling or showing worry, unease, or nervousness about an uncertain outcome.
"The parents were anxious until their son's flight landed safely."
Typically followed by 'about', 'for', or a 'that'-clause.
Strongly wanting or eager for something to happen.
"He was anxious to prove himself in his new role."
Usually followed by a 'to'-infinitive; this sense is informal and overlaps with 'eager', though some formal writers reserve 'anxious' for worry alone.
The same Latin root that gave us 'anxious' also gave us 'anger' and 'anguish' — a whole family of words born from the feeling of a throat tightening.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of anxious
Anxious comes from the Latin adjective anxius, meaning troubled or distressed, itself derived from the verb angere, 'to choke, squeeze, or cause pain'. English borrowed it in the early 17th century, initially with the sense of being greatly troubled or uneasy. The word shares its ultimate Indo-European root with anguish, anger, and even eagerness-related senses via the notion of tightness or constriction. Cognates and relatives include the noun anxiety, which developed from the same Latin source.
Related word forms
How anxious is actually used
In careful or formal usage, 'anxious' primarily denotes worry or apprehension. The sense meaning 'eager' or 'keenly desiring' is well established but is considered informal by some style guides; 'eager' is preferred in formal writing when no element of worry is intended.
Easily confused with anxious
While 'anxious to' can mean eager in informal usage, 'anxious' more precisely conveys worry or unease, whereas 'eager' means keen enthusiasm without any negative undertone.