Dictionary

antsy en · ADJ

Pronunciation

• (Australia) audio
• /ˈæn.tsi/

Etymology

From ants + -y, as in ants in one's pants. First noted as a rural Southern US figure of speech in the early 20th century.

Meanings

1. (slang) restless, apprehensive and fidgety
   • In a hard-fought, intriguing tactical battle of a first half, O’Neil, understandably given his employment prospects, was the antsier of the managers. 2024 October 26, John Brewin, “Matheus Cunha claws back late point for Wolves in comeback at Brighton”, in The Guardian:
   • The children were antsy and worried […] 1990, John Updike, Rabbit at Rest:
   • For hating it so much, she's remarkably nomadic. In the last four years, she's moved at least eight times. "I get very antsy," she explains. "I don't like to be in one place for too long. But I settle in each time. I do like a house to be a home." 1993 November 14, Lynn Hirschberg, “Brat on a Hot Tin Roof”, in Vanity Fair:
   • Just as the “Do Something” crowd was growing its antsiest, Dallas did something: The team will acquire Delon Wright through a sign-and-trade with the Memphis Grizzlies on a three-year deal worth $29 million, as first reported by ESPN. 2019 July 7, Tim Cato, “What you should know about Delon Wright, who may complete the Mavericks’ offseason”, in The New York Times:

Forms

Deriveds

antsiness · antsily

Relateds

shpilkes · toey · ants in one's pants · have ants in one's pants

Translations (22)

cs neklidný (restless, apprehensive and fidgety) · de nervös (restless, apprehensive and fidgety) · nl rusteloos (restless, apprehensive and fidgety) · it nervosetto (restless, apprehensive and fidgety) · de kribbelig (restless, apprehensive and fidgety) · cs nervózní (restless, apprehensive and fidgety) · et rahutu (restless, apprehensive and fidgety) · nl ongerust (restless, apprehensive and fidgety) · de zappelig (restless, apprehensive and fidgety) · pt inquieto (restless, apprehensive and fidgety) · hu be van sózva (restless, apprehensive and fidgety) · hu nyugtalan (restless, apprehensive and fidgety) · fr agité (restless, apprehensive and fidgety) · hy անհանգիստ (restless, apprehensive and fidgety) · de hibbelig (restless, apprehensive and fidgety) · es inquieto (restless, apprehensive and fidgety) · cs napružený (restless, apprehensive and fidgety) · nl opgewonden (restless, apprehensive and fidgety) · fi levoton (restless, apprehensive and fidgety) · et ärevil (restless, apprehensive and fidgety) · ru беспоко́йный (restless, apprehensive and fidgety) · fr inquiet (restless, apprehensive and fidgety)