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

Bleary-eyed delegates took their seats, eager to see the marathon talks finally come to an end.

Read more on Barron's

As the weather gets colder and the blackouts become even worse, the public will likely grow more eager to end the conflict.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Those eager to see the franchise’s epic conclusion come to life on the big screen as soon as possible were disappointed.

Read more on Salon

After Japan’s surrender, journalists were eager to find three people: Emperor Hirohito, former Prime Minister Hideki Tojo and the mythical broadcaster with the evocative name.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

But many companies are eager to cut payroll and might pull together an early-retirement package for you, he says.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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