anxious

anxious

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Pronunciation

IPA Phonetic Spelling:

• /ˈæŋkʃəs/ (General American, Received Pronunciation)

• an - /ˈæŋk/ (as in "bank" or "rank")

• xious - /ʃəs/ (as in "conscious" or "delicious")

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Word Form Variations

• Adjective:

• Base form: anxious

• Comparative: more anxious

• Superlative: most anxious

• Adverb:

• anxiously

• Noun: (derived form)

• anxiety

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Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms

Adjective

1. Feeling or showing worry, nervousness, or unease about something with an uncertain outcome.

• Synonyms: worried, nervous, uneasy, apprehensive, concerned, fearful, stressed

• Antonyms: calm, relaxed, peaceful, unworried, confident, serene

2. Having a strong desire or yearning to do something or for something to happen. (Often followed by "to" or "for")

• Synonyms: eager, keen, impatient, longing, yearning, desirous

• Antonyms: reluctant, unwilling, indifferent, hesitant, loath

3. Causing or characterized by anxiety or apprehension.

• Synonyms: worrying, unsettling, disturbing, uneasy, tense, stressful

• Antonyms: calming, reassuring, comforting, relaxing

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Examples of Use

• Books:

• "He was anxious to please, a trait that often led him into awkward situations." (Jane Austen, Sense and Sensibility, 1811)

• Newspapers:

• "Investors remain anxious about the market's volatility amidst ongoing geopolitical tensions." (The Wall Street Journal)

• Online Publications:

• "Many students are feeling anxious about returning to in-person classes after months of remote learning." (Psychology Today online)

• Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:

• "I'm so anxious to find out what happens next on the show!" (Audience member comment in a fan forum for Succession, June 2025)

• "The protagonist's increasingly anxious demeanor signals the rising tension in the thriller." (Film critic's review on Rotten Tomatoes, April 2025)

• "As the deadline approached, the team grew increasingly anxious about completing the project on time." (Dialogue in a corporate drama TV series, Industry, 2020-present)

• General Public Discourse:

• "I'm a bit anxious about my job interview tomorrow."

• "Parents are anxious for their children to return to school safely."

• "He's anxious to start his new adventure abroad."

• "The prolonged silence made everyone feel anxious."

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10 Quotes Using Anxious

1. "Why be anxious about tomorrow, when tomorrow can take care of itself?" (Matthew 6:34, paraphrased from the Bible)

2. "Don't be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." (Philippians 4:6, paraphrased from the Bible)

3. "He was anxious to please, a trait that often led him into awkward situations." (Jane Austen, Sense and Sensibility, 1811)

4. "I am not anxious to please men, but God." (Galatians 1:10, paraphrased from the Bible)

5. "It's true that I'm more anxious than I would like to be, but that is part of my nature." (Woody Allen)

6. "Do not be anxious for your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on." (Matthew 6:25, paraphrased from the Bible)

7. "I'm so anxious to see what happens next!" (Common expression of anticipation in popular culture, e.g., about TV shows or sports)

8. "The long wait made everyone increasingly anxious." (Common narrative descriptive phrase)

9. "Being anxious about the past is as futile as worrying about the future." (A common philosophical sentiment, often unattributed)

10. "She gave an anxious glance toward the door, hoping for news." (Common descriptive line in literature and film)

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Etymology

The word "anxious" describes a feeling of worry or eagerness, and its history comes from a Latin word about distress.

It comes from the Latin word "anxius," which meant "troubled in mind," "disturbed," or "uneasy." This Latin term itself is related to "angere," meaning "to choke, squeeze, or cause distress." You can see this connection in words like "anger" or "angina." So, the original sense was quite strong, implying a feeling of being constricted or choked by distress.

The word "anxious" entered the English language in the mid-17th century (around the 1640s).

The first known use and meaning of "anxious" in English was very much in line with its Latin roots: feeling distressed or uneasy, especially about something with an uncertain outcome. Over time, a secondary meaning developed (around the 18th century) to also describe a strong desire or eagerness, implying a restless waiting for something good to happen. Both senses stem from a state of mental unease or heightened emotion.

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Phrases + Idioms Containing Anxious

Here's a list of phrases and idioms using "anxious":

• Anxious about (worried or nervous concerning something)

• Anxious for (eagerly desiring something)

• Anxious to please (eager to gain approval)

• Anxious moments (periods of worry or tension)

• Anxious look/glance/expression (a facial display showing worry)

• Anxiously awaiting (waiting with worry or eagerness)

• Feeling anxious (experiencing a state of worry or nervousness)

• Anxious to begin (eager to start)

• Torn by anxiety (using a derived noun for similar effect, meaning deeply worried)

• Filled with apprehension (using a synonym, indicating a state of being anxious)

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Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA

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Source Information

Definition of anxious from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.

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