antsy

adjective

ant·​sy ˈant-sē 

1

informal : restless, fidgety

antsy children

also : impatient, eager

antsy for a new challenge

2

informal : nervous, apprehensive

antsy investors

Synonyms

• aflutter
• anxious
• atwitter
• dithery
• edgy
• goosey
• het up
• hinky [slang]
• hung up
• ill at ease
• insecure
• jittery
• jumpy
• nervous
• nervy
• perturbed
• queasy
• queazy
• tense
• troubled
• uneasy
• unquiet
• upset
• uptight
• worried

Examples of antsy in a Sentence

he was feeling understandably antsy about the tax audit

after a few minutes in the formal restaurant, the kids got antsy

Recent Examples on the Web

The idea is to spend hours and hours around the table, enjoying lunch or dinner without worrying about antsy children or impatient waiters. —Ann Abel, Forbes, 14 Oct. 2024

With the tendency of Californians to vote late and by mail, Nolan and other officials have a message for the voting public, which is sure to be antsy for a quick vote-count. —Grant Stringer, The Mercury News, 7 Oct. 2024

Masters of deep work: While extroverts might get antsy sitting alone for hours, introverts thrive on it. —Lien De Pau, Forbes, 18 Sep. 2024

As the crowd of investors, enthusiasts and the crypto-curious grew increasingly antsy at the Bitcoin Conference in Nashville, Elon Musk’s private jet was touching down 200 miles away in Memphis, Tennessee. —Mackenzie Sigalos,rebecca Picciotto, CNBC, 8 Aug. 2024

Word History

Etymology

see ant entry 1

First Known Use

1950, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

antsy

adjective

ant·​sy ˈant-sē 

informal

: restless sense 3, impatient