Key Difference: While both the words describe a state of anticipation, the difference is in the usage of both these words. Both convey different emotions and hence the usage of these words in the sentence enable one to understand the emotion and the context in a better way. The key difference is that anxious is typically followed by a preposition and has a negative connotation with reflection to one's fear, nervousness about something that is to ​happen in the future. Whereas, Eager is generally followed by an infinitive with positive outlook to the situation either impatiently or enthusiasm to do something or to happen in the future.

Anxious is an adjective describing a state of high nervousness or worry. It is typically used when one is anxious about uncertain future events, or present circumstances which cause discomfort. The word anxious originated in early 17^th century from Latin anxius (from angere which to choke) plus ous. Eager is also an adjective describing the state to strongly want to do something or to have something. The word eager originated from Middle English (also in the sense as pungent, sour); from Old French aigre meaning keen, from Latin acer, acr- sharp, pungent.

Anxious is defined as:

• Full of mental distress or uneasiness because of fear of danger or misfortune; greatly worried;

• Characterised by worry or nervousness.

• Very eager or concerned to do something or for something to happen.

While Eager is defined as:

• Keen or ardent in desire or feeling; impatiently longing.

• Characterised by or revealing great earnestness.

• Interested or strongly wanting to do or to have something.

Thus, by the definitions the difference between their meanings is that eager refers to keen interest and enthusiasm whereas anxious or anxiety is charaterised by unease or nervousness.

It is a general belief that anxious and eager words can be interchangeably used as both are adjectives and both deal with expectations for the future, which is incorrect as both the term differ in the usage and thereby the situation reflecting either negative or positive attribute. For example

1. I am eager to go home and meet my family.

2. I am anxious to meet my parents after failing in the exams.

To easily understand the difference in the usage between anxious and eager, just remember eager is used for a positive situation, interest or keen for something as used in the first sentence. Anxious is used with negative connotation denoting nervousness or fear in the situation as seen in the second sentence.