anxious
anxious — adjective
1. feeling tense and uneasy because you are thinking about a possible problem, dang
feeling tense and uneasy because you are thinking about a possible problem, danger, or unpleasant outcome ahead.
Jamal felt anxious about his job interview at the bank on Monday morning.
anxious about + noun for naming the worry source
Dimitri grew increasingly anxious as the doctor read through his test results.
Parents are often anxious that their children might struggle on the first school day.
Diego felt anxious every time the phone rang during his mother's hospital stay.
Greta bit her nails, anxious about the storm warning on the radio.
- worried
more everyday and slightly less intense
- nervous
often about a specific upcoming moment
- uneasy
milder; vague sense of something being wrong
- apprehensive
more formal; fear of what may happen next
文法句型
anxious about + noun/-ing
anxious that + clause
用法筆記
Subject is usually a person or a group; the worry source is typically a future event or its outcome. Distinguish from sense 3 (EAGER), which takes 'to + infinitive' and expresses positive desire rather than fear.
常見錯誤
2. describing a moment, time, or expression that is full of worry — either making p
describing a moment, time, or expression that is full of worry — either making people feel that worry or showing it on their faces.
The hours after the earthquake were an anxious time for everyone in the village.
attributive: anxious + time period
Mrs. Pia shot an anxious look at the clock as the school bus failed to arrive.
collocation: anxious look / glance
There were a few anxious moments when the small plane began to shake over the mountains.
Renata paced the hallway with an anxious expression, waiting for news from the surgeon.
The final minutes of the match were anxious for the home crowd at the stadium.
- worrying
describes events that produce worry; very close in meaning
- tense
stresses high pressure in the atmosphere
- nerve-racking
stronger; emphasises strain on the nerves
- reassuring
actively reduces worry
- untroubled
free from any sign of worry
文法句型
anxious + noun (moment / time / wait / look)
用法筆記
Almost always used before a noun naming a stretch of time, a facial expression, or a sound. Distinguish from sense 1: here the moment or face is anxious, not the person experiencing the feeling directly.
常見錯誤
3. wanting something to happen, or wanting to do something, very strongly — often b
wanting something to happen, or wanting to do something, very strongly — often because you care about the result.
Hiroshi was anxious to finish his thesis before his daughter started kindergarten.
anxious + to-infinitive expressing strong desire
The mayor is anxious that every family receives clean water by next summer.
anxious + that-clause
Reporters were anxious for any news from the rescue team on the mountain.
Greta is anxious to please her new boss at the design studio.
The coach was anxious to see how the new player would perform in real games.
- reluctant
unwilling or hesitant to act
- indifferent
having no strong feeling either way
文法句型
anxious to + infinitive
anxious that + clause
anxious for + noun
用法筆記
Only sense that takes a to-infinitive or 'for + noun'. The desire is usually serious or important to the speaker, not casual. Distinguish from sense 1: 'anxious about' = worried; 'anxious to' = eager.