What is eager? Pronunciation and usage in English

eager means . Learn how to pronounce and use eager through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of eager

eageradjective

/ˈiːɡə/
Definition & pronunciation of eager

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "eager." It's a tricky one for some! Here's a breakdown:

The most common and accepted pronunciation is:

  • ˈiːɡər (pronounced like "ee-ger")

Let's break that down further:

  • ˈiː - This is the stressed syllable. It sounds like the "ee" in "see" or "meet." Make sure this syllable is the loudest and longest part of the word.
  • ɡ - This is a hard "g" sound, like in "go."
  • ər - This is the schwa sound, a very short, neutral "uh" sound. It's like the "a" in "about" or the "u" in "umbrella."

Tips for getting it right:

  • Stress: Really emphasize the first syllable ("ee").
  • Avoid "eh-ger": Many people mistakenly pronounce it like “eh-ger.” Don't do it!
  • Short "uh" at the end: The final "er" is a very quick, short sound.

Resources for Hearing it:

Do you want me to:

  • Say "eager" slowly for you?
  • Give you some other words that sound similar and how to pronounce them correctly?

Usage and examples with the word eager in English

Let's break down how to use the word "eager" in English. It's a versatile word with a few different shades of meaning.

1. Core Meaning: Enthusiastic & Excited

  • Definition: "Eager" primarily means having or showing a strong and hopeful desire to do or have something. It’s about enthusiasm and excitement.
  • Examples:
    • "I'm eager to start my new job." (Feeling excited about it)
    • "She was eager to hear the results of the test." (Looking forward to it with anticipation)
    • "The children were eager to go to the zoo." (Full of excitement about going)

2. Adjective Form (Describing a Person or Animal)

  • Usage: You use "eager" to describe someone who is enthusiastic, proactive, and willing to do something.
  • Examples:
    • "The eager student always raised their hand in class." (Shows enthusiasm and willingness to participate)
    • "The eager puppy bounded across the yard." (Shows excitement and eagerness to move)
    • "He’s an eager volunteer, always helping out." (Demonstrates willingness and enthusiasm for helping)

3. Adverb Form (Describing How Something is Done)

  • Usage: "Eagerly" describes how someone does something, emphasizing their enthusiasm.
  • Examples:
    • "He listened eagerly to the story." (Listened with great attention and interest)
    • "She answered the question eagerly." (Answered quickly and enthusiastically)
    • "The children played eagerly in the snow." (Played with great enthusiasm)

4. Slightly More Formal/Serious Use - "Eager to please"

  • Definition: This phrase (sometimes used with "eager") indicates a desire to satisfy someone else's needs or wishes, often to an excessive degree. It can sometimes imply a lack of self-awareness.
  • Example: "He was eager to please his boss, working late every night." (This suggests he was too willing to do everything, potentially to his own detriment.)

Key Differences to Related Words:

  • Interested: "Interested" is a milder form of wanting something. It suggests a general curiosity or attention. "I’m interested in learning more about that."
  • Excited: "Excited" is a strong feeling of enthusiasm, but "eager" often implies a proactive desire to do something. “I got excited about the concert.”

Tips for Using "Eager" Correctly:

  • Think about the action: Is the person wanting to do something?
  • Consider the level of enthusiasm: Is it a quiet anticipation or a bursting excitement?
  • Use “eagerly” to describe how something is done.

To help me give you even more targeted advice, could you tell me:

  • What kind of sentence are you trying to write? (e.g., “I want to describe how I feel about a new project,” or “I’m trying to find the right word to describe a person’s behavior.”)

Synonyms for the word eager

Practice with vocabulary eager

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. The team was ________ to embrace the new software update, recognizing its potential benefits.
  2. Many employees felt ________ about the upcoming company restructuring, unsure of its impact.
  3. She was ________ to receive feedback on her presentation skills, hoping to improve for future engagements.
  4. Despite the tight deadline, the project manager remained ________ to deliver a high-quality product.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. After months of meticulous preparation, the research group was finally ______ to publish their findings in the prestigious scientific journal. a) hesitant b) reluctant c) keen d) enthusiastic e) eager

  2. The intern showed a remarkable aptitude for learning and was always ______ to take on new responsibilities, often volunteering for extra tasks. a) unwilling b) indifferent c) eager d) disinclined e) keen

  3. Everyone in the department was ______ for the announcement of the new company policy, as it would significantly affect their workflows. a) apprehensive b) anxious c) impatient d) eager

  4. Despite the intense competition, she remained ______ about her chances of winning the highly sought-after scholarship. a) optimistic b) doubtful c) confident d) hesitant

  5. The manager's feedback session aimed to create a more ______ environment for open and honest discussion among team members. a) hostile b) conducive c) adverse d) resistant

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. Rewrite the sentence using "eager" or a related word form: The team showed a strong desire to collaborate on the innovative solution.

  2. Rewrite the sentence using "eager" or a related word form: They were excitedly anticipating the results of the market research.

  3. Rewrite the sentence, without using "eager" or any related word forms: The committee was intent on reaching a consensus before the deadline.

Answer:

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. The team was eager to embrace the new software update, recognizing its potential benefits.
  2. Many employees felt anxious about the upcoming company restructuring, unsure of its impact.
  3. She was eager to receive feedback on her presentation skills, hoping to improve for future engagements.
  4. Despite the tight deadline, the project manager remained determined to deliver a high-quality product.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. c) keen, d) enthusiastic, e) eager
  2. c) eager, e) keen
  3. b) anxious, c) impatient, d) eager
  4. a) optimistic, c) confident
  5. b) conducive

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The team was eager to collaborate on the innovative solution.
  2. They were eagerly anticipating the results of the market research.
  3. The committee was determined to reach a consensus before the deadline.

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