B2adjective2K

Anxious

UK /["/ˈæŋkʃəs/"]/US /["/ˈæŋkʃəs/"]/

Definition

feeling worried or nervous

In simple words: Worried or nervous about something.

Examples

  • She felt anxious about the upcoming exam.
  • He was anxious to hear the results of the interview.
  • The children were anxious during the storm last night.
  • It's natural to be anxious when facing major life changes.
  • Despite her anxious demeanor, she performed well on stage.

Usage notes

Used when feeling nervous or uneasy about a situation. Generally appropriate in both formal and informal contexts, but in very casual settings, some might use 'worried' instead.

Grammar pattern

anxious + about + object

Memory hint

Think of 'anxious' as 'angst in us'.

Collocations

  • appear
  • be
  • feel
  • extremely
  • fairly
  • very
  • about
  • for

Synonyms

  • worried
  • nervous
  • uneasy
  • apprehensive
  • agitated

Antonyms

  • calm
  • relaxed
  • composed

Common mistakes

  • Confusing 'anxious' with 'eager', which means excited or looking forward to something.
  • Using 'anxious' without a preposition; it should be 'anxious about' or 'anxious for'.
  • Thinking 'anxious' always means worry, not recognizing it can imply a strong desire in certain contexts.