ea ‧ ger /ˈiːɡə $ -ər/ BrE AmE adjective
[ Date: 1200-1300 ; Language: Old French ; Origin: aigre , from Latin acer 'sharp' ]
1 . very keen and excited about something that is going to happen or about something you want to do
eager to do something
I was eager to get back to work as soon as possible.
He’s a bright kid and eager to learn.
She’s a very hard worker and very eager to please.
A crowd of eager young students were already waiting outside.
eager for
fans eager for a glimpse of the singer
2 . eager beaver informal someone who is too keen and works harder than they should
—eagerly adverb :
They’re eagerly awaiting the big day.
—eagerness noun [uncountable] :
People were pushing each other out of the way in their eagerness to get to the front.
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THESAURUS
▪ enthusiastic feeling or showing a lot of interest or excitement about something:
He’s really enthusiastic about his new job.
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An enthusiastic crowd cheered the team onto the pitch.
▪ eager wanting to do something or know about something very soon:
He was eager to hear every detail of her day.
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She was always eager for her turn on the catwalk.
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The room was full of eager young faces.
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We waited in eager anticipation.
▪ keen eager to work or learn:
She hasn’t much experience but she’s very keen.
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John was a keen student who worked very hard.
▪ zealous doing something in a very enthusiastic way, especially supporting something or making sure that people obey rules :
She was a zealous supporter of the revolution.
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The company has been extremely zealous in defending its interests.
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Officials have been very zealous in the application of the new regulations.
▪ avid [only before noun] written used when you want to emphasize that someone does something a lot or is very interested in something:
an avid golfer
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She was an avid reader all her life.
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I’ve become an avid collector of his work.
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Henry is an avid fan of the sport.
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As a schoolboy he had an avid interest in birds.
▪ fervent written believing or feeling something very strongly and sincerely:
Galinsoga was one of Franco’s most fervent supporters.
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One of Allen 's fervent admirers was Richard Nixon.
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her fervent belief in promoting the work of good women artists
▪ be mad about something British English informal to like something very much and be very interested in it:
My sister’s mad about horses.
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Since you’re so mad about clothes, you can help me choose a wedding dress.
▪ can’t wait to do something to be very eager to do something:
I can’t wait to get started.
▪ be looking forward to something to feel pleased and excited because you know that something is going to happen soon:
I’m looking forward to the vacation.