Meaning & use
overly eager
Last updated
Meaning
adjectivenot comparable
Too keen or enthusiastic, often in a way that seems excessive or inappropriate.
Grammar: Used after a linking verb (be, seem, look) or before a noun: He seemed overly eager; an overly eager fan.
Patterns
- be overly eager
- overly eager to do something
- overly eager for something
He was overly eager to please his new boss, which made his colleagues uncomfortable.
The overly eager puppy jumped on everyone at the park.
She seemed overly eager for approval, constantly seeking compliments.
Common combinations
- overly eager to please
- The new intern was overly eager to please and worked late every night.
- overly eager for attention
- The child was overly eager for attention and interrupted constantly.
- seem overly eager
- He seemed overly eager during the interview, which raised doubts.
Synonyms and how they differ
- too keen
- Too keen is more informal and common in British English; overly eager is slightly more formal.
- overenthusiastic
- Overenthusiastic is a single word meaning the same, but it can also describe activities, not just people.
Opposites
Word family
Commonly confused: overly eager or anxious?
overly eager vs anxious
Anxious can mean 'eager' but usually implies worry or nervousness; overly eager does not carry that worry.
Practice
Choose the correct sentence with 'overly eager'.
Choose one answer.
The phrase 'overly eager to help' uses the correct pattern 'eager to + verb'. Option B uses 'eager of', which is not correct. Option C omits 'to'. Option D uses 'eager for help', which would mean she wanted to receive help, not give it.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “overly eager”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.