eager

American  

[ee-ger] / ˈi gər /

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.

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eager ¹ British  

/ 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

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eager ² British  

/ ˈeɪɡə /

noun

1. a variant spelling of eagre

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Related Words

See avid.

Other Word Forms

• eagerly adverb
• eagerness noun

Etymology

Origin of eager

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

Compare meaning

How does eager compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• anxious vs. eager

Explanation

The adjective eager describes someone is excited about or impatient for something. If you want to be a doctor one day, you might be eager to dissect a frog in biology. Your squeamish friend? Not so eager. Eager derives from old words meaning "sharp, pungent or keen," and eager carries that sense of sharpness still. In fact, being overeager is a criticism; someone overeager is likely to make a mistake because they are moving too quickly or not thinking things through before they act.

Example Sentences

Garrett Nelson, an analyst at CFRA, called the reported plans a “welcome development,” since investors and consumers are likely eager for new models.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 9, 2026

Burgum was accompanied by more than two dozen mining company executives, who he said were "eager to get started" once the "red tape" had been cut.

From Barron's • Apr. 9, 2026

Speaking to media from space on their way home, the mission's pilot, Victor Glover, said the crew was eager to share what they had seen with the world.

From BBC • Apr. 9, 2026

She was very excited to get it, and she was very eager, too, because of what it promises.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 8, 2026

The girl, so close to the edge and so eager for the dark, did not think to question why an owl could speak to her in a voice that she understood.

From "Night Owls" by A.R. Vishny

Related Words

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