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eager
/ˈiːɡər/
keenly enthusiastic
She was eager to start her new job.
She was very excited and impatient to begin her new job.
neutral
Wanting to do or have something very much.
The children were eager for the school trip.
The children were very excited about the school trip.
He's eager to learn new skills.
He's very enthusiastic about learning new skills.
Often implies impatience or strong desire. Can be used positively or negatively depending on context (e.g., 'eager to please' vs. 'too eager').
Collocations
eager to learnvery willing to gain new knowledgeeager for successstrongly desiring achievementeager anticipationexcited expectation
Pro Tip
Avoid overusing 'eager'
While 'eager' is positive, overusing it can sound unnatural. Alternate with synonyms like 'excited' or 'enthusiastic' in different contexts.
Gold Rule
Eager vs. Anxious
'Eager' implies positive excitement, while 'anxious' suggests worry or nervousness. Compare: 'eager for the trip' (excited) vs. 'anxious about the trip' (nervous).
Word Origin
From Middle English 'egre' (sharp, sour), from Old French 'aigre' (sour, sharp), from Latin 'acrem' (sharp, keen), from 'acer' (sharp). The sense of 'keen desire' developed in the 16th century.
Usage Notes
Unlike 'enthusiastic' (which focuses on positive excitement), 'eager' can imply impatience or over-eagerness. Often used with 'to' + verb or 'for' + noun. Avoid using with negative contexts (e.g., not 'eager to fail').
Word Breakdown
eager
keen desire
rootEnglish Dictionary