Explanation at your level:
When you are eager, you are very happy and ready to do something. You want to start right now! For example, if you love school, you are eager to go to class. It is a good word to show you are interested.
Being eager means you have a strong desire to do something. You are excited and waiting for it to happen. You might say, 'I am eager to learn English.' It shows you have a positive attitude about your tasks.
The word eager describes a state of keen enthusiasm. It is often used when you are looking forward to a future event. For instance, 'The students were eager to hear the results of the test.' It suggests you are prepared and motivated to participate.
Eager implies a sense of readiness and anticipation. It is more than just wanting something; it is about being mentally prepared and excited. In a professional context, being 'eager to contribute' is a great way to show your employer that you are motivated and proactive.
In advanced usage, eager can denote a sense of impatient desire. While usually positive, it can sometimes suggest a slight lack of restraint. It is a nuanced word that fits perfectly in both academic writing and sophisticated conversation to describe high levels of engagement.
Historically rooted in the concept of 'sharpness,' eager in modern usage captures the intellectual or emotional 'keenness' of an individual. It is a staple in literary descriptions, often used to characterize a protagonist's internal drive. Understanding its etymological connection to 'sharp' helps one appreciate why we describe someone as having an 'eager mind'—it is a mind that is quick, alert, and ready to cut through complexity.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Eager means excited and ready.
- It is usually followed by 'to'.
- It has positive energy.
- The adverb is 'eagerly'.
When you are eager, you are not just willing to do something; you are practically vibrating with excitement! It is a word that captures that special feeling of anticipation where you simply cannot wait to get started.
Think of a puppy waiting for its owner to throw a ball. That little dog is the definition of eager. It is a positive, energetic state of mind that shows you are fully engaged and interested in what is coming next.
The word eager has a fascinating journey through time. It traces back to the Old French word aigre, which meant 'sharp' or 'sour.' This comes from the Latin acer, meaning 'sharp' or 'keen.'
It is interesting to note that in Middle English, eager actually meant 'sharp' in a physical sense, like a sharp blade. Over the centuries, the meaning shifted from a sharp physical object to a 'sharp' mind or a 'keen' spirit. It is a great example of how language evolves from the physical world to describing our internal emotions.
You will most often hear eager used in the phrase 'eager to.' For example, 'I am eager to see you.' It is very common in both professional and casual settings.
In a formal workplace, you might say you are 'eager to assist' with a project. In casual life, you might be 'eager to go' to the movies. It is a versatile word that works well whenever you want to express genuine enthusiasm without sounding too dramatic.
While eager itself isn't always in an idiom, it is closely related to expressions like 'eager beaver', which describes someone who is overly enthusiastic or works very hard. Another is 'champing at the bit', which means being so eager to start something that you are showing signs of impatience.
You might also hear someone described as 'keen as mustard', which is a British way of saying someone is very eager. These expressions help add flavor to your English when you want to describe someone's high energy level.
Eager is an adjective, so it does not have plural forms. It is pronounced /ˈiːɡər/ in both US and UK English. The stress is on the first syllable, making the 'ee' sound long and clear.
It is often followed by an infinitive verb, such as 'eager to learn' or 'eager to help.' It can also be used with the preposition 'for,' as in 'eager for news.' It rhymes with words like leaguer and beaguer.
Fun Fact
It once described a sharp blade before it described a person's personality.
Pronunciation Guide
The 'r' at the end is often silent in non-rhotic accents.
The 'r' is pronounced clearly at the end.
Common Errors
- Pronouncing it as 'egger' instead of 'ee-ger'
- Forgetting the long 'e' sound
- Adding extra syllables
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Very easy to read.
Simple to use in sentences.
Common in speech.
Clear pronunciation.
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Adjective + Infinitive
Eager to learn
Adjective + Preposition
Eager for news
Adverb formation
Eagerly
Examples by Level
I am eager to play.
eager = ready/happy
Adjective usage
He is eager to eat.
eager = hungry/ready
Adjective usage
She is eager to go.
eager = excited
Adjective usage
We are eager to help.
eager = willing
Adjective usage
They are eager to see.
eager = curious
Adjective usage
I am eager to learn.
eager = interested
Adjective usage
He is eager to run.
eager = ready
Adjective usage
We are eager to start.
eager = excited
Adjective usage
The dog was eager to go for a walk.
I am eager to meet your family.
She is eager to start her new job.
They are eager to hear the news.
He is eager to finish his homework.
We are eager for the summer vacation.
The fans were eager to see the band.
I am eager to try this new food.
The candidate was eager to impress the interviewers.
Children are often eager to explore new places.
I am eager to see how the project develops.
He was eager to prove his skills to the team.
She is always eager to learn new languages.
We are eager for the results of the competition.
They were eager to get back to work after the break.
I am eager to hear your thoughts on this.
The investors were eager to capitalize on the new market trends.
He showed an eager willingness to take on extra responsibilities.
Despite the long wait, the audience remained eager for the performance.
She was eager to reconcile with her estranged brother.
The startup team was eager to disrupt the traditional industry.
He is an eager participant in all community activities.
I am eager to resolve this issue as quickly as possible.
The students were eager to engage in the debate.
His eager pursuit of excellence led him to great success.
She displayed an eager curiosity about the ancient ruins.
The crowd was in an eager state of anticipation before the speech.
He was eager to put his theoretical knowledge into practice.
The company is eager to expand its global footprint.
They maintained an eager focus throughout the entire seminar.
She was eager to embrace the challenges of the new role.
The team was eager to implement the new strategy.
His eager intellect allowed him to grasp the complex concepts quickly.
She possessed an eager spirit that was infectious to those around her.
The artist was eager to capture the fleeting light in her painting.
He was eager to transcend the limitations of his previous work.
The diplomat was eager to facilitate a peaceful resolution.
They were eager to explore the philosophical implications of the discovery.
She was eager to refine her technique through constant practice.
The historian was eager to uncover the truth behind the legend.
Common Collocations
Idioms & Expressions
"eager beaver"
Someone who is very enthusiastic and works hard.
She is such an eager beaver at the office.
casual"champing at the bit"
To be very eager to start something.
The kids are champing at the bit to go outside.
idiomatic"keen as mustard"
Very eager and enthusiastic.
He is keen as mustard to join the team.
British"itching to"
Very eager to do something.
I am itching to tell you the news.
casual"dying to"
Extremely eager to do or know something.
I am dying to see the movie.
casualEasily Confused
Both imply waiting.
Anxious implies worry; eager implies excitement.
I am eager for the party vs I am anxious about the test.
Both mean interested.
Keen is more common in British English.
He is keen to go.
Both relate to waiting.
Impatient is negative; eager is positive.
He is impatient (annoyed) vs He is eager (excited).
Both show interest.
Avid is usually for hobbies.
An avid reader.
Sentence Patterns
Subject + be + eager + to + verb
I am eager to learn.
Subject + be + eager + for + noun
He is eager for the results.
Subject + verb + eagerly
She waited eagerly.
Eager + noun
An eager student.
Subject + be + very + eager + to + verb
They are very eager to start.
Word Family
Nouns
Adjectives
Related
How to Use It
8/10
Formality Scale
Common Mistakes
Eager is followed by the infinitive (to + verb).
While 'very eager' is okay, 'eager' already implies a high degree.
Use 'eager to + verb' or 'eager for + noun'.
Eagerly is an adverb; use the adjective eager before the infinitive.
The correct preposition is 'for' when using a noun.
Tips
Memory Palace
Place a puppy at your front door to remember 'eager'.
Professional Email
Use 'I am eager to hear from you' to show interest.
Positive Vibe
Use it to show you are a team player.
The 'To' Rule
Always 'eager to' + verb.
Long E
Make the first E sound very long.
Don't add -ing
Never say 'eager to doing'.
Sharp Origins
It used to mean sharp like a knife!
Sentence Building
Write 5 sentences about things you want to do.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Eager starts with E, like 'Excited'.
Visual Association
Imagine a dog with its ears perked up, ready to run.
Word Web
Challenge
Use the word 'eager' in three sentences today.
Word Origin
Old French / Latin
Original meaning: Sharp or keen
Cultural Context
None, generally a very positive word.
Used frequently in professional and social settings to show interest.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
At work
- Eager to assist
- Eager to contribute
- Eager to learn the role
At school
- Eager to participate
- Eager to learn
- Eager to finish
Socializing
- Eager to meet you
- Eager to see the movie
- Eager to go out
Travel
- Eager to explore
- Eager to arrive
- Eager for the trip
Conversation Starters
"What is something you are currently eager to do?"
"Are you an eager learner?"
"Do you prefer to be eager or patient?"
"What makes you feel eager?"
"Have you ever been eager for a big event?"
Journal Prompts
Write about a time you were very eager for something.
Describe a person you know who is an 'eager beaver'.
What are you eager to achieve this year?
How does your body feel when you are eager?
Frequently Asked Questions
8 questionsUsually, yes, but it can imply impatience.
Yes, use 'eager for' + noun.
Eagerly.
It is neutral and works in most settings.
EE-ger.
No, always use 'eager to do'.
Similar, but anxious often implies worry.
Yes, very common in daily English.
Test Yourself
I am ___ to play outside.
Eager fits the context of wanting to play.
Which means the same as eager?
Excited is a synonym for eager.
You can be 'eager to do' something.
This is the correct grammatical pattern.
Word
Meaning
Matches synonyms with adverbs.
Standard subject-verb-adjective-infinitive order.
Score: /5
Summary
Being eager means you are excited and ready to take action.
- Eager means excited and ready.
- It is usually followed by 'to'.
- It has positive energy.
- The adverb is 'eagerly'.
Memory Palace
Place a puppy at your front door to remember 'eager'.
Professional Email
Use 'I am eager to hear from you' to show interest.
Positive Vibe
Use it to show you are a team player.
The 'To' Rule
Always 'eager to' + verb.
Example
The children were eager to open their birthday presents.
Related Content
Learn it in Context
This Word in Other Languages
Related Phrases
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abanimize
C1The systematic process of neutralizing or stripping away emotional intensity from a situation to achieve a state of detached objectivity. It is primarily used to describe a mental state where complex human sentiments are reduced to manageable, clinical facts to avoid personal bias.
abhor
C1To feel a strong sense of horror, disgust, or intense hatred toward something. It is a formal verb used to describe a deep-seated moral or emotional repulsion.
abminity
C1To regard something with intense loathing or extreme disgust; to treat an object or idea as an abomination. It is used in high-level contexts to describe a profound moral or aesthetic aversion toward an action or concept.
abmotine
C1Describes a state of being emotionally detached or lacking intrinsic motivation, often characterized by a cold, clinical, or indifferent stance. It is used to denote a specific lack of movement or response to external emotional stimuli.
abominable
C1Causing a feeling of hatred or disgust; very unpleasant or disagreeable. It often describes something morally repulsive or extremely bad in quality.
abphilous
C1To consciously withdraw or distance oneself from a previous affinity, attraction, or emotional attachment. It involves a systematic effort to break a psychological bond in order to achieve a state of neutrality or objectivity.
absedhood
C1Describing a state of being profoundly detached or emotionally withdrawn from one's surroundings or social responsibilities. It refers to a specific condition of intense, often self-imposed, isolation or a lack of interest in external affairs.
abvidness
C1The quality or state of being intensely eager, enthusiastic, or consumed by a particular interest or desire. It represents a level of dedication and spirited engagement that often goes beyond standard enthusiasm, typical of scholars, collectors, or hobbyists.
adacrty
C1Alacrity refers to a cheerful readiness, promptness, or willingness to do something. It describes not only the speed of an action but also the positive and enthusiastic attitude of the person performing it.
