What does eagerness mean?
Eagerness is a noun describing intense desire or enthusiastic readiness — the state of wanting something so keenly that it shows in one's behavior and demeanor. A student awaiting exam results, a traveler boarding a long-awaited flight, or a child eyeing wrapped presents all display eagerness in different ways. The word almost always carries a positive connotation, suggesting genuine enthusiasm rather than mere obligation; however, idioms such as 'in his eagerness to please' can hint that excessive zeal caused someone to act hastily or overlook something important. Eagerness is grammatically an uncountable noun, typically introduced by 'with,' 'in,' or verbs such as 'show' and 'express.' It derives from 'eager,' which ultimately traces through Old French 'aigre' to Latin 'acer' (sharp), giving the word a vivid underlying image: eagerness as a sharpness or piquancy of desire. It remains a common, natural choice across both formal writing and everyday speech.
nounEagerness is intense desire or enthusiastic readiness to do or obtain something. It denotes a keen, often impatient interest in an anticipated event or action.
- Intense desire or enthusiasm for something.
- Impatient or avid readiness to begin or do something.
"She accepted the invitation with unmistakable eagerness."
"The children watched the gift-wrapped boxes with barely contained eagerness."
"In his eagerness to finish the project early, he overlooked several important details."
Rarely used; eagerness is almost always treated as an uncountable mass noun, and no standard plural exists in ordinary usage.
"The letters reveal the varied eagernesses of young applicants — a construction found mainly in literary prose."
Eagerness traces back to the same ancient root as 'acid' — so a person burning with eagerness is, etymologically speaking, sharp and piquant as vinegar.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of eagerness
Eagerness is formed from the adjective 'eager' plus the noun-forming suffix '-ness.' 'Eager' entered Middle English from Old French 'aigre' (sour, sharp), which derives from Latin 'acer' meaning sharp, keen, or vigorous. Over time the English sense shifted from literal sharpness to figurative keenness of desire, with 'eagerness' emerging as the abstract noun by roughly the sixteenth century. It shares its Latin root with words such as 'acuity' and 'acid.'
Related word forms
How eagerness is actually used
Eagerness carries an almost always positive connotation of lively enthusiasm, though the phrase 'in one's eagerness to' can imply that haste led to an error or oversight. It suits both formal and informal registers and pairs naturally with verbs like show, display, express, and contain.
Easily confused with eagerness
Anxiety involves worry or unease about a possible outcome, whereas eagerness is a positive, excited anticipation.