Eager is not a new word among many beginners and veteran English speakers and writers. You are unlikely to go a day or two without encountering this word. Here is the good news: this post aims to discuss all basic aspects of this word, including the eager definition, meaning, and usage.
Eager means “having or showing intense desire or keen interest in something or someone.” The adjective describes someone excited about something. Use the word in sentences describing someone showing impatience or anxiety over something. The word “eager” also means “a high wave caused by tidal flow.”
As popular as it is, there is more to the word “eager” than most people assume. You will be surprised how little you know about this word. Should we bet on that? Well, read on as we inform you about the different meanings and other vital information about the word “eager.”
What is the Definition of Eager?
“Eager” is defined as keenness or excitement to do or obtain something. The word also describes “having or showing intense desire or expectancy.”
Let’s look at these sentences to explain:
- The students were so eager to meet their new teacher that they couldn’t concentrate on the test.
- For weeks, I have been eager about the Johnny Depp and Amber Heard trial verdict.
- Paul was so eager to get started that he almost missed his guests’ arrival.
The word also refers to something brittle, inflexible, or inductile. This is one of those meanings you will rarely think of. However, it is very applicable in the metal and manufacturing industries.
Here are some examples in sentences:
- The metal is more eager than I thought for this project.
- The quality assurance team has noticed that the local industry rarely applies eager raw materials.
- It is surprising how eager materials attract more production industries.
What is the Meaning of Eager?
The word “eager” also means showing interest or keen desire, or impatient expectancy.” It describes feeling impatient and ready to receive something. You can either be anticipating a good or bad thing.
Here are some example sentences:
- The eager child could not stop jumping up and down while waiting for the door to open.
- The eager students spent time decorating the classroom for their new teachers’ arrival.
- I have been eager for the test results, but I hope for the best.
Other Meanings of Eager
The meanings of “eager” explained above are the most commonly known. However, there are several other unknown meanings you will be interested in. Read each section below to learn something new.
Eager is a computing theory meaning “not engaging lazy evaluation; calculating results instantly instead of deferring calculations until when desired.” Here are examples in sentences:
- An Eager algorithm works very well in this area.
- Try employing an eager algorithm for this problem.
- The experts require you to employ eager techniques during research.
Eager also means not rigid or resilient. It refers to an item that is not flexible. Note that this definition goes beyond metals. Below are some sentence examples:
- Her character is too eager for my liking.
- The metal is too eager for this project.
- That is the most eager person I have seen on this list.
Eager also refers to a high, often dangerous wave caused by tidal flow. Here, it applies as an alternative or variant for eagre. Another meaning of “eager” is “tending to ask questions for information or knowledge.” Finally, eager means ambitious or a particular goal
Below are some examples:
- Everyone has been eager to hear about the appointment of the new C.E.O.
- Mike seems eager to work on this project, and I cannot wait for it to bear fruits.
- I am eager to meet our new manager and impress him with my novel ideas.
Obsolete Meanings of Eager
This word also has some outdated meanings. These meanings are no longer applied. However, they play a significant role in the history of “eager.” Again, these meanings no longer apply.
Here are some archaic or obsolete meanings of eager:
- Sharp, sour, or acidic (this was the first meaning of obsolete applied in the late 13th century).
- Keen, bitter, or severe.
- Tart or cutting.
Words that Rhyme with Eager
If you plan to use the word “eager” in poetry or song compositions, you may also benefit from learning its rhyming words. These are words that sound the same as “eager.” Here is a list of such words.
- Reader
- Speaker
- Fever
- Leader
- Meager
- Cleaner
- Beaker
- Heater
- Dreamer
- Eater
- Healer
- Dealer
- Teeter
- Leaser
- Beamer
- Cedar
- Keener
- Beater
- Beaver
How to use Eager in a Sentence?
You can use “eager” in a sentence as an adjective.
This word has several meanings, some of which are archaic. Therefore, when using it in sentences, you should steer clear of the archaic meanings lest you want to write confusing sentences. It is also worth mentioning that eager is used as a noun when referring to a high wave caused by tidal flow.
Synonyms of Eager
Synonyms are words with similar meanings. The synonyms may not apply to all the different meanings of a particular word. Therefore, a word with multiple meanings can have several dozen synonyms. Below are some synonyms of the word “eager.”
Synonyms of eager with the meaning “strongly wanting to do or have something.”
- Anxious
- Impatient
- Thirsty
- Keen
- Raring
- Yearning
- Aching
- Longing
- Antsy
- Excited
- Hopeful
- Intent
- Restless
- Zealous
- Desirous
- Enthusiastic
- Itching
- Voracious
- Wishful
- Ambitious
- Hankering
- Athirst
- Heated
- Restive
- Stoked
- Vehement
Synonyms of eager with the meaning “having an enthusiastic expression.”
- Ardent
- Avid
- Earnest
- Fervent
- Fervid
- Passionate
- Dedicated
- Intense
- Motivated
- Diligent
- Fiery
- Burning
- Feverish
Synonyms of eager, meaning “ambitious or driven towards a specific goal.”
- Aspiring
- Budding
- Pioneering
- Progressive
- Wannabe
- Pushing
- Aspirant
- Likely
- Prospective
- Energetic
- Longing
- Intending
- Endeavoring
- Expectant
- Impassioned
The Opposite of Eager: Antonyms
You may also benefit from learning the antonyms (opposites) of eager. Here is a list of opposite words for eager.
- Unenthusiastic
- Averse
- Indifferent
- Uninterested
- Disinterested
- Dispassionate
- Listless
- Casual
- Passionless
- Phlegmatic
- Apathetic
- Tepid
- Reluctant
- Uneager
- Hesitating
- Blasé
- Spiritless
- Unimpressed
- Emotionless
- Lukewarm
- Unmoved
10 Examples of Eager in a Sentence
Forming sentences with the word “eager” is relatively easy if you know its meaning. Below are some more example sentences with the word eager.
- If the new hospital addresses all the challenges of its former, patients will be eager to visit it.
- The eager students spent hours rehearsing for the new play.
- The fans were eager about the arrival of the new team for the season.
- John is eager and willing to please and follow instructions without a fault.
- I listened with an eager ear, thirsty for information and knowledge.
- He seemed eager to talk all night, which made the all-nighter a success.
- After the rules came out, Harry was more than eager to comply.
- In eager anticipation of their newborn sister, the kids barely slept that night.
- I am eager to find out more about the new international students.
- I wasn’t eager to listen to the endless banter at the end of the interview.
How Do You Spell Eager?
The correct spelling for this word is “E.A.G.E.R.”
Learning a new word would not be a success without learning how to write it. The key to mastering the spelling of a new word is writing it down and practicing. Eager is an easy word to spell.
How Do You Pronounce Eager?
The correct pronunciation for eager is “\ee-gr\.”
Learning how to pronounce a word by reading its pronunciation is almost impossible. Therefore, the key is to say the word out loud. Listening to pronunciations of the word will also come in handy. The internet is a great place to start learning how to pronounce new words.
How Many Syllables Are In Eager?
The word eager has two syllables.
The two syllables in the word “eager” are divided into “-ea and -ger.” The stressed syllable in eager is “-ea.” Therefore, when pronouncing the word, the first syllable is longer, like an “ee.”
History & Etymology of Eager
The word eager stems from the Old French word “aigre,’ in the late 13th century.
The word “aigre,” an Old French word, means “sour, acid, harsh, bitter, lively, or forceful.” Eager also has Vulgar Latin roots. It is derived from the Latin word “arcus” or “Acer,” meaning “keen, sharp, pointed, acute, zealous, or piercing.” The modern meaning of eager, “full or keen desire,” came up in the early 14th century. Even with the new meaning, the word maintained its secondary meaning of “pungent or sharp-edged” until the 19th century.
When Was Eager First Used?
The word’s first use dates back to the late 13th century, meaning “harsh, bitter, or rough.” However, this meaning became obsolete after the 19th century.
The word’s modern meaning, “keen desire or excitement,” was introduced in the early 14th century. The earliest meaning of eager is not currently applied.
Conclusion
Eager means wanting to do or have something passionately or impatiently, especially something interesting or enjoyable. It is a relatively common English word with multiple meanings. Despite its several meanings, it is still an easy word to apply. Therefore, you can easily use it in conversations and sentences; just make sure you have mastered the eager definition, spelling, pronunciation, and meaning.
Shawn Manaher is the founder and CEO of The Content Authority. He’s one part content manager, one part writing ninja organizer, and two parts leader of top content creators. You don’t even want to know what he calls pancakes.