Eager vs Enthusiastic
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
| Eager | Enthusiastic | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | very excited and wanting something a lot | showing a lot of excitement and interest |
| CEFR level | C1 | B2 |
| Part of speech | adjective | adjective |
| Usage notes | Use 'eager' when someone is enthusiastic about doing something. Avoid in overly formal situations; instead, use 'enthusiastic'. | Use 'enthusiastic' to describe someone's strong positive feelings about something. Appropriate in both casual and formal contexts, but avoid it in overly serious discussions. |
Frequently asked questions: Eager vs Enthusiastic
What's the difference between "Eager" and "Enthusiastic"?
"Eager" means: very excited and wanting something a lot "Enthusiastic" means: showing a lot of excitement and interest
When should I use "Eager" and "Enthusiastic"?
They can all be used in everyday English.
Are "Eager" and "Enthusiastic" the same CEFR level?
"Eager" is at C1, "Enthusiastic" is at B2 on the CEFR scale.