Etymology Map
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Eager

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means strongly wanting to do or have something

Where does the word "eager" come from? It comes from Latin acer, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
acer
Latin · ancient
"sharp, keen"
the same root as 'acid' and 'acrid'
2
Stage 2 of 3
aigre
Old French · medieval
"sour, keen"
meant sour or harsh; it also gives 'vinegar', sour wine
3
Stage 3 of 3
eager
English · 1300s
"keenly wanting"
the sense of keenness won out over sourness
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Read the full story

Eager’s story begins in Latin: acer meant “sharp, keen.” The same root as 'acid' and 'acrid'. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as aigre. Meant sour or harsh; it also gives 'vinegar', sour wine. It reached English by 1300s as eager. The sense of keenness won out over sourness. Today, eager means strongly wanting to do or have something.