2 behaving in a very determined and forceful way in order to succeed:

an aggressive advertising campaign • A good salesperson has to be aggressive in today’s competitive market.

suffering or expressing severe pain or anxiety:

agonized cries • After five months of agonized debate they signed the treaty.

1 ~ (about sth) | ~ (for sb) feeling worried or nervous:

2 causing anxiety; showing anxiety:

3 ~ to do sth | ~ for sth | ~ for sb to do sth | ~ that … wanting sth very much:

She was anxious to finish school and get a job. • There are plenty of graduates anxious for work. • He was anxious not to be misunderstood. • I’m anxious for her to do as little as possible. • She was anxious that he should meet her father.

‘Sorry,’ she said, with an apologetic smile. • They were very apologetic about the trouble they’d caused.

behaving in a proud, unpleasant way, showing little thought for other people

He was too bashful to talk about sex.

extremely happy; showing happiness:

We spent three blissful weeks away from work. • a blissful smile • We preferred to remain in blissful ignorance of what was going on (= not to know).

 IDIOMS 

bored stiff | bored to death / tears | bored out of your mind extremely bored

~ (about sb/sth) | ~ (about doing sth) being careful about what you say or do, especially to avoid danger or mistakes; not taking any risks:

He was very cautious about committing himself to anything. • The government has been cautious in its response to the report. • They’ve taken a very cautious approach. • They expressed cautious optimism about a solution to the crisis.

to give sb a cold look / stare / welcome • Her manner was cold and distant. • He was staring at her with cold eyes.

showing determination to do sth:

He made a concentrated effort to finish the work on time.

She was in a relaxed, confident mood. • Beneath his confident and charming exterior, lurked a mass of insecurities. • The teacher wants the children to feel confident about asking questions when they don’t understand.

see also SELF-CONFIDENT

2 ~ of sth | ~ that … feeling certain that sth will happen in the way that you want or expect:

I’m confident that you will get the job. • The team feels confident of winning. • She was quietly confident that everything would go as planned.

~ (about sth) | ~ (to do sth) having a strong desire to know about sth:

They were very curious about the people who lived upstairs. • I was curious to find out what she had said. • Everyone was curious as to why Mark was leaving. • He is such a curious boy, always asking questions.

1 (of a woman or a girl) behaving in a way that does not attract attention to herself or her body; quiet and serious:

2 suggesting that a woman or girl is demure:

a demure smile • a demure navy blouse with a white collar

1 [not before noun] ˜ ~(to do sth) if you are determined to do sth, you have made a firm decision to do it and you will not let anyone prevent you:

2 showing a person’s determination to do sth:

a determined effort to stop smoking • The proposal had perished in the face of determined opposition.

They were bitterly disappointed at the result of the game. • I was disappointed by the quality of the wine. • I’m disappointed in you—I really thought I could trust you! • I was very disappointed with myself. • He was disappointed to see she wasn’t at the party. • I’m disappointed (that) it was sold out. • She was disappointed not to be chosen.

OPP APPROVING

not believing that sth is true or that sb is telling the truth:

a disbelieving look / smile / laugh

I was disgusted at / by the thought that he had touched her. • He was disgusted to see such awful living conditions. • I was disgusted with myself for eating so much.

The bad language in the film was distasteful and unnecessary.

We caught him eavesdropping outside the window.

very happy, excited and enthusiastic; feeling or showing great enthusiasm:

Sally was ecstatic about her new job. • ecstatic applause / praise / reviews • He gave an ecstatic sigh of happiness.

(written) made very angry:

She was enraged at his stupidity. • The newspaper article enraged him.

~ (of sb/sth) wanting to be in the same situation as sb else; wanting sth that sb else has:

Everyone is so envious of her. • They were envious of his success. • He saw the envious look in the other boy’s eyes.

extremely annoyed, especially if you cannot do anything to improve the situation:

‘Why won’t you answer me?’ he asked in an exasperated voice. • She was becoming exasperated with all the questions they were asking.

very tired:

I’m exhausted! • to feel completely / utterly exhausted • The exhausted climbers were rescued by helicopter.

~ (of sth / of doing sth) | ~ (to do sth) | ~ (that … ) afraid; feeling fear:

a frightened child • Don’t be frightened. • What are you frightened of? • I’m frightened of walking home alone in the dark. • He sounded frightened. • I’m too frightened to ask him now. • She was frightened that the plane would crash. • I’m frightened for him (= that he will be hurt, etc.). • (spoken) I’d never do that. I’d be frightened to death.

1 [not before noun] ~ (at / with sth) feeling annoyed and impatient because you cannot do or achieve what you want:

It’s very easy to get frustrated in this job. • They felt frustrated at the lack of progress. • His apathy just made her even more frustrated.

2 (of an emotion) having no effect; not being satisfied:

He stamped his foot in frustrated rage. • frustrated desires / passions

3 [only before noun] unable to be successful in a particular career:

a frustrated artist

4 not satisfied sexually

~ (for / over sb/sth) feeling very sad, especially because sb has died:

[V] They are still grieving for their dead child. • grieving relatives • [VN] She grieved the death of her husband.

~ (about sth) feeling ashamed because you have done sth that you know is wrong or have not done sth that you should have done:

I felt guilty about not visiting my parents more often. • John had a guilty look on his face. • I had a guilty conscience and could not sleep.

feeling / giving pleasure

~ (to do sth) | ~ (for sb) | ~ (that … ) feeling or showing pleasure; pleased:

a happy smile / face • You don’t look very happy today. • We are happy to announce the engagement of our daughter. • I’m very happy for you.

extremely shocked, disgusted or frightened

He was horrified when he discovered the conditions in which they lived. • She gazed at him in horrified disbelief.

[not usually before noun] a person who is hung-over is feeling ill/sick because they drank too much alcohol the night before

upset and offended by sth that sb has said or done:

a hurt look / expression • She was deeply hurt that she had not been invited. • Martha’s hurt pride showed in her eyes.

1 in a state of extreme excitement, and crying, laughing, etc. in an uncontrolled way:

2 (informal) extremely funny:

 HELP NOTE  Some people use an instead of a before this word, and then usually do not pronounce the ‘h’. This now sounds old-fashioned.

1 [not usually before noun] ~ (to sb/sth) having or showing no interest in sb/sth:

The government cannot afford to be indifferent to public opinion.

2 not very good

an indifferent meal / performance • The festival has the usual mixture of films—good, bad and indifferent.

very stupid:

an idiotic question • Don’t be so idiotic!

having little experience of the world, especially of sexual matters, or of evil or unpleasant things:

an innocent young child

~ (in sth/sb) | ~ (in doing sth) | ~ (to do sth) giving your attention to sth because you enjoy finding out about it or doing it; showing interest in sth and finding it exciting:

I’m very interested in history. • Anyone interested in joining the club should contact us at the address below. • We would be interested to hear your views on this subject. • an interested audience / reader • She was watching with a politely interested expression on her face. • There’s a talk on Italian art—are you interested (= would you like to go)? • He sounded genuinely interested.

1 feeling angry or unhappy because sb you like or love is showing interest in sb else:

2 ~ (of sb/sth) feeling angry or unhappy because you wish you had sth that sb else has

She’s jealous of my success. • Children often feel jealous when a new baby arrives.

(written) very happy; causing people to be happy:

She gave a joyful laugh. • It was a joyful reunion of all the family.

(informal, especially AmE) very drunk

unhappy because you have no friends or people to talk to:

She lives alone and often feels lonely. • As I didn’t speak the language I grew lonelier and lonelier.

in love

(formal) thinking very deeply; involving deep thought:

She found him in a meditative mood. • a meditative poem

enjoying playing tricks and annoying people:

a mischievous boy • a mischievous grin / smile / look • Her eyes danced with mischievous amusement.

very unhappy or uncomfortable:

We were cold, wet and thoroughly miserable. • Don’t look so miserable! • She knows how to make life miserable for her employees.

considering only the bad side of sth/sb; lacking enthusiasm or hope:

Scientists have a fairly negative attitude to the theory. • ‘He probably won’t show up.’ ‘Don’t be so negative.’

(often disapproving) refusing to change your opinions, way of behaving, etc. when other people try to persuade you to; showing this

He can be very obstinate when he wants to be! • her obstinate refusal to comply with their request

~ (about sth) | ~ (that … ) expecting good things to happen or sth to be successful; showing this feeling:

She’s not very optimistic about the outcome of the talks. • They are cautiously optimistic that the reforms will take place. • We are now taking a more optimistic view. • in an optimistic mood • I think you’re being a little over-optimistic.

showing that sb is feeling annoyed or upset:

a pained expression / voice • She looked pained.

afraid or suspicious of other people and believing that they are trying to harm you, in a way that is not reasonable:

She’s getting really paranoid about what other people say about her.

confused and anxious because you are unable to understand sth; showing this:

a perplexed expression / look / voice • She looked perplexed.

(disapproving) very easily shocked by things connected with sex

unable to understand sth or the reason for sth:

She had a puzzled look on her face. • Scientists are puzzled as to why the whale had swum to the shore. • He looked puzzled so I repeated the question.

feeling or showing sadness or disappointment because of sth that has happened or sth that you have done or not done:

a regretful look / smile

~ (to see, hear, find, etc. sth) | ~ (that … ) feeling happy because sth unpleasant has stopped or has not happened; showing this:

She sounded relieved. • You’ll be relieved to know your jobs are safe. • I’m just relieved that nobody was hurt. • They exchanged relieved glances. • He was clearly relieved when we offered to pay for the damage.

~ (to do sth) | ~ (that...) unhappy or showing unhappiness:

We are very sad to hear that you are leaving. • I was sad that she had to go. • She looked sad and tired. • I felt terribly sad about it. • He gave a slight, sad smile. • The divorce left him sadder and wiser (= having learned from the unpleasant experience).

~ (with sb/sth) pleased because you have achieved sth or because sth that you wanted to happen has happened:

a satisfied smile • Keep all letters from satisfied customers. • She’s never satisfied with what she’s got.

[C, usually sing, U] feeling unpleasant as a result of sth bad happening;:» :

For a few minutes we stood in shocked silence.

looking or feeling embarrassed because you have done sth silly or wrong:

Mary gave her a sheepish grin. • He came into the room looking distinctly sheepish.

(disapproving) looking or feeling too pleased about sth you have done or achieved:

a smug expression / smile / face • What are you looking so smug about?

» verb

1 [V] ~ (at sb/sth) (of dogs, etc.) to show the teeth and make a deep angry noise in the throat:

2 ~ (sth) (at sb) to speak in an angry or bad tempered way:

[V speech] ‘Get out of here!’ he snarled. • [VN] She snarled abuse at anyone who happened to walk past.

~ (at / by sb/sth) | ~ (that … ) | ~ (to see, hear, etc.) feeling or showing surprise:

a surprised look / expression • She looked surprised when I told her. • I was surprised at how quickly she agreed. • I’m surprised at you, behaving like that in front of the kids. • They were surprised to find that he’d already left. • You shouldn’t be surprised (that) he didn’t come. • Don’t be surprised if I pretend not to recognise you. • ‘Will she cancel the party?’ ‘I wouldn’t be surprised.’ • You’d be surprised how many people voted for him.

~ (to / towards sb) kind to sb who is hurt or sad; showing that you understand and care about their problems:

a sympathetic friend / listener / employer • I did not feel at all sympathetic towards Kate. • I’m here if you need a sympathetic ear (= sb to talk to about your problems). • a sympathetic look / manner / response • She was very sympathetic when I was sick.

1 quiet, because you are thinking:

2 (approving) showing that you think about and care for other people:

3 showing signs of careful thought:

a player who has a thoughtful approach to the game

~ (about sb/sth) | ~ (as to sth) not having made a decision about sb/sth:

I’m still undecided (about) who to vote for. • He was undecided as to what to do next.

not wanting to talk to other people; extremely quiet and shy