eagerness

Everyday

1. A strong wish to do or have something, full of energy and interest. tree →
2. Keenness; being impatient to start. tree →

In the lessons

It describes a happy, excited desire: «in her eagerness to help», «eagerness to learn». In school reports teachers praise «eagerness to learn». In stories eagerness often makes a character rush and make mistakes, like Toad's eagerness for every new craze or the Elephant's Child's eagerness to know what the Crocodile has for dinner.

Examples

• In his eagerness to see the puppies, Sam ran ahead. tree →
• The class showed great eagerness to learn about volcanoes. tree →
• In her eagerness she knocked over the paint pot. tree →
• The Elephant's Child asked his questions with endless eagerness. tree →
• Mole's eagerness to see the river made him forget his spring-cleaning. tree →
• The dog wagged its tail with eagerness when it heard the lead. tree →
• Her eagerness to help made her the teacher's favourite helper. tree →
• In his eagerness to kill it, he hit himself a smart slap. tree →

Note

Uncountable noun from the adjective «eager»; the adverb is «eagerly». Often followed by «to + verb» (eagerness to win) or «for + noun» (eagerness for news). Do not confuse «eager» (keen, wanting) with «anxious» (worried), though people sometimes use «anxious to» for eager.