eager Hear it!

eager¹ Definition

eager (ēgər)

adjective

  1. feeling or showing keen desire; impatient or anxious to do or get; ardent
  2. Archaic sharp; keen

Etymology: ME egre < OFr aigre < L acer, sharp, acute, ardent, eager: see acid

eager¹ Related Forms
eager·ly adverb eager·ness noun
eager² Definition

eager (ēgər, ā-)

noun

Brit. eagre

eager Synonyms

eager

modif.

enthusiastic, ardent, avid, keen, anxious, desirous, hopeful, wishful, spirited, enthused, exhilarated, excited, longing, impatient, fervent, earnest, dying to*; see also enthusiastic 1, 2, 3.

eager implies great enthusiasm, zeal, or sometimes impatience, in the desire for a pursuit of something eager to begin work: avid suggests an intense, sometimes greedy, desire to enjoy or possess something avid for power; keen implies deep interest and a spirited readiness to achieve something the team was keen on winning; anxious suggests eagerness, but with some uneasiness over the outcome anxious to excel

eager Usage Examples

Adjective complement with noun phrase

  • attract: A cut above bustling and brassy Blackpool, Lytham St Annes attracted gentry eager to make their homes in the town.

Modifies a noun

  • anticipation: We had been taking tea on the terrace of the Presidential Summer palace in eager anticipation of the day's coming events.
  • beaver: One must not be a brash, eager beaver.
  • punter: Yet there is always a catch; a few diamonds in the rough that spark some degree of excitement and draw in eager punters.
  • longing: Theirs was not the eager, disappointed longing of those whose union had proved fruitless.
  • curiosity: Was it a boy's eager curiosity, or was it something deeper that drew me nearer?
  • expectation: The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed.

Modifying Another Word

  • too: Do not be too eager to deal out death in judgment.
  • so: So eager were they to have him leave, he noted, they provided him with poles and food to speed him along.
  • always: The people are always eager to help you find your way.
  • particularly: Ajax, never slow at developing their youngster's minds, where particularly eager.

Infinitive complement

  • impress: The last guy was so eager to impress, it was painful.
  • learn: The evening was very well attended with a packed hall full of parents eager to learn.
  • hear: Contact Philip - I'm always eager to hear your comments.
  • embrace: In a society torn by much division and warfare, people are eager to embrace this idea of Unification.
  • please: Emerging nations eager to please the globalized economy set up ' free trade zones ' .
  • curl: After the action, Lilydolls and their owners will be eager to curl up with their pretty new pet, Tovi the cat.

Used with adjective complement

  • seem: From The Spectator to Thatcher, people seem eager to crush the solidarity which exists here.
  • appear: Comment: All the branches were represented at the workshop and people appeared eager to attend.

Preposition: for

  • battle: Back to top Translation The tide went out; the seamen stood ready, the many Vikings eager for battle.
eager Quotes

The more women are paid, the less eager theyare to marry.

—Faludi, Susan

Browse dictionary entries near eager

  1. Eads
  2. each
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  5. E-TDMA
  6. e-tailer
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  8. E-rate Program
  9. E-proposition
  10. e-
  1. eager beaver
  2. eagerly
  3. eagerness
  4. eagle
  5. eagle-eyed
  6. eagle ray
  7. Eagle Scout
  8. eaglet
  9. eaglewood
  10. eagre