What does raring mean?
Raring means eager, enthusiastic, and ready to act, often with an added sense of impatience to begin. It is especially common in the expression “raring to go,” as in a child who is raring to go outside or a team that is raring for action. The word can describe people, animals, and occasionally organizations or situations, but its usual force comes from describing intense readiness and enthusiasm rather than merely a moderate willingness. Although it is used in both British and American English, it has a slightly informal and expressive tone, so it is less suitable for highly formal writing when a plain term such as “eager” would suffice. Raring also implies that action is anticipated or desired, which distinguishes it from simply being interested in something.
adjectiveEager and enthusiastic, especially to the point of being ready to act. The phrase “raring to go” is a common expression of strong willingness or anticipation.
- Eager and enthusiastic to do something, especially ready and impatient to act.
"The children were raring to go outside as soon as the rain stopped."
"By the time the concert began, the crowd was raring for action."
"She was raring to start her new job on Monday."
When someone is “raring to go,” they are not merely ready; they are practically bursting with enthusiasm to begin.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does raring come from?
The adjective developed from the verb “rare,” historically used in the sense “to be eager or desirous.” In the 17th century, “raring” came to mean “eager” or “ready and willing.” It ultimately relates to the adjective “rare,” which in Middle English could mean “few,” “seldom,” or, in another older sense, “eagerly desired.” The modern expression “raring to go” developed from this older sense of eagerness and readiness.
Related word forms
How raring is actually used
Most often used with an infinitive introduced by “to,” as in “raring to go.” It is common in informal speech and can suggest impatience as well as enthusiasm.
Easily confused with raring
Raring means eager and enthusiastic, whereas raving usually means speaking or acting wildly, or, in medical contexts, intensely intense or irrational.