antsy

American  

[ant-see] / ˈænt si /

adjective

Informal.

antsier, antsiest

1. unable to sit or stand still; fidgety.

   The children were bored and antsy.

2. apprehensive, uneasy, or nervous.

   I'm a little antsy since hearing those storm warnings.

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antsy British  

/ ˈæntsɪ /

adjective

1. informal restless, nervous, and impatient

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Other Word Forms

• antsiness noun

Etymology

Origin of antsy

1950–55; ant + -s ³ + -y ¹; -sy

Example Sentences

Americans don’t like fraud—they want action to clean it up—though they get antsy at the thought of denied aid.

From The Wall Street Journal

Investors are getting antsy about a credit bubble and contagion effects cross the $20 trillion industry.

From Barron's

Investors are getting antsy about a credit bubble and contagion effects cross the $20 trillion industry.

From Barron's

The pandemic isn’t over but we can at least perceive its end; we’ve also long accepted the fact that we’re stupid and contagious, but also bored and antsy and hankering for excitement.

From Salon

The film’s persistent brittleness may make some viewers antsy.

From Los Angeles Times