restless

/ˈrestləs/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈrestləs/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈrest-ləs/ (ame, mw)

restless — adjective

  • restlesspositive
  • more restlesscomparative
  • most restlesssuperlative

1. finding it hard to remain in one place or stay quiet, because you feel worried,

1.形容詞B1
釋義

finding it hard to remain in one place or stay quiet, because you feel worried, bored, or impatient — you want to move around or change what you are doing.

例句

The children grew restless during the long train ride and started kicking the seats.

grow/become/get + restless

After waiting for two hours, Kian became restless and began pacing the hallway.

同義詞
  • fidgety

    more physical — describes small, repeated movements like tapping feet or shifting in a seat

  • uneasy

    more about mental discomfort than physical movement

  • antsy

    informal American English; combines impatience with nervous energy

  • agitated

    stronger emotion — involves visible distress, not just boredom

反義詞
  • calm

    peaceful and not excited or worried

  • still

    not moving at all; physically quiet

用法筆記

Often paired with verbs of change (grow, become, get) to describe a rising state of agitation. The subject is typically a person or a group of people.

常見錯誤

❌I felt restless before the interview.' (when meaning nervous anticipation).
✅I felt restless after sitting in the waiting room for two hours.
💡'restless' describes a physical inability to stay still due to boredom or impatience, not pre-event nervousness.

2. giving you no chance to rest or sleep properly; or unable to sleep because of wo

2.形容詞B1
釋義

giving you no chance to rest or sleep properly; or unable to sleep because of worry, heat, or discomfort.

例句

Mayumi had a restless night, tossing and turning until the alarm went off.

restless + night / sleep / hour

Imran spent a restless hour waiting for the doctor to call with his test results.

同義詞
  • sleepless

    focuses on not sleeping at all rather than broken or uneasy sleep

  • fitful

    describes interrupted, uneven sleep — more literary

反義詞
  • peaceful

    calm and undisturbed, especially of sleep or rest

  • restful

    giving you a feeling of rest; relaxing

用法筆記

Applies both to a person who cannot sleep (She felt restless all night) and to a period that provides no rest (a restless night). The nighttime or waiting context is the most common use.

3. never stopping or calming down; always moving or changing, especially in a way t

3.形容詞B2
釋義

never stopping or calming down; always moving or changing, especially in a way that seems energetic or unstoppable.

例句

The restless wind moved the leaves and branches all through the night.

restless + wind / sea / energy / spirit

Hiro gazed at the restless sea, watching the waves crash without pause.

同義詞
  • ceaseless

    more formal; emphasizes that something never stops

  • unrelenting

    suggests something continues with great force and does not weaken

  • perpetual

    lasting forever or for an extremely long time

反義詞
  • still

    completely motionless; not moving

  • calm

    not stirred up; quiet and smooth

用法筆記

Typically describes natural forces (sea, wind) or abstract qualities (energy, spirit). When describing a person, it does not mean fidgety — it means constantly active, seeking change or movement in life.