anxious

Etymology

Borrowed from Latin anxius, from angō (“to cause pain, choke”); akin to Ancient Greek ἄγχω (ánkhō, “to choke”). See anger; angst.

adj

1. Nervous and worried.
2. Having a feeling of anxiety or disquietude; extremely concerned, especially about something that will happen in the future or that is unknown.
   She was anxious to hear how her test results were.
   I could tell she was anxious as she was biting her nails.
   Meanwhile Nanny Broome was recovering from her initial panic and seemed anxious to make up for any kudos she might have lost, by exerting her personality to the utmost. She took the policeman's helmet and placed it on a chair, and unfolded his tunic to shake it and fold it up again for him. 1963, Margery Allingham, chapter 19, in The China Governess
   But, with United fans in celebratory mood as it appeared their team might snatch glory, they faced an anxious wait as City equalised in stoppage time. May 13, 2012, Alistair Magowan, “Sunderland 0-1 Man Utd”, in BBC Sport
3. (of things) Accompanied with, or causing, anxiety; worrying.
   anxious labor
   There was an anxious wait before the results were revealed.
4. Earnestly desirous.
   He is anxious to please, so you can count on him.
   All the voters were anxious to hear the election result.