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eagerly

eagerly

67 1.3
In a way that shows strong interest and excitement about something
  • adverb
  • /ˈiːɡərli/
translation icon : con entusiasmo
  • In China's case, investors from Hong Kong and Taiwan were eagerly looking for a source of cheap labor.
  • eagerly await
  • eagerly anticipate
  • eagerly sought

And be assured the industry is very eagerly trying to sell it to you.

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Examples

  • The children eagerly anticipated the arrival of the ice cream truck.

  • The ultimate goal is to produce students who eagerly pursue music as both performers and listeners.

    Academic text (1993)
  • We'll wait for you eagerly.

  • In fact, they have been eagerly training for this day and pass with flying colours.

  • Any one of the 35 could win, and they all eagerly wait for the start.

  • The teachers are more confident of the task and eagerly look forward to listening carefully to students.

    Academic text (1990)
  • Her eagerly awaited second album is about to be released.

  • Your judgment is eagerly awaited.

  • When someone called my name, I answered eagerly and hurried toward the voice.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • When the St. Louis arrived in Havana on May 27, the passengers eagerly prepared to go ashore.

    Academic text (2017)

Synonyms

enthusiastically
vseagerly
37 3.5

In a way that shows strong interest and excitement

is more about keen attention and sometimes urgent wanting rather than approval
heartily
vseagerly
29 3.4

In a strong, happy, and sincere way

is more about urgent wanting or keen attention than warmth
excitedly
vseagerly
27 1.0

In a happy, eager way that shows strong interest

is calmer showing keen attention and wanting without high energy
impatiently
vseagerly
26 3.2

Showing that you are annoyed because you cannot wait

is similar but without the annoyed tone focusing on keen wanting
fervently
vseagerly
19 5.4

In a way that shows strong belief or feeling

is generally less about deep feeling and more about keen wanting
expectantly
vseagerly
12 4.4

Waiting eagerly for something to happen

is used more widely to show interest or wanting rather than only waiting
avidly
vseagerly
7 3.9

In a way that shows strong interest and excitement

is more about keen attention while also wanting things to happen soon
ardently
vseagerly
7 4.9

In a way that shows strong feeling and great enthusiasm

is less about devotion and more about keen attention and wanting
zealously
vseagerly
5 5.4

Doing something with great energy and strong interest

is broader showing keen interest or wanting without strong commitment
voraciously
vseagerly
5 5.9

With strong hunger for food or learning

is more general showing keen interest or wanting rather than hunger
exuberantly
vseagerly
1 5.1

In a lively, excited way

is more about focused interest and wanting than very high outward energy
zestfully
vseagerly
1 6.0

To do something with a lot of energy and joy

is more about serious interest or wanting than playful energy
thirstily
vseagerly
1 3.8

Showing strong eagerness to learn or get something

is more about focused attention and wanting rather than craving
ebulliently
vseagerly
1 7.7

In a lively, cheerful way that shows clear happiness

is lower in outward liveliness and more about keen attention
interestedly
vseagerly
1 3.4

Someone watches or listens with curiosity and close attention

is more urgent and wants things to happen rather than calm curiosity

Antonyms

80 3.7

In a way that shows you do not want to do something

In a way that shows little interest or energy

How Eager

zealously
5 5.4
eagerly
67 1.3
willingly
119 1.9

Surface Forms

eagerly positive

Morphology

eagerly = eager (transparent) = eager + ly

The word is transparently formed by adding the adverbial suffix '-ly' to 'eager', indicating the manner of being eager.

Etymology

Eagerly comes from the Latin root acer, which meant 'sharp' or 'keen', and it passed into English through old French as eager. So to do something eagerly is to do it with a 'sharp', strong interest or excitement.