“eager”

Intensely enthusiastic and keenly desirous of something.

“She was an avid collector of rare manuscripts, spending weekends hunting through dusty bookshops.”

Best for: Works well in both formal and casual writing; slightly more sophisticated than eager.

Burning with passion or enthusiasm, often with an almost fierce intensity.

“He was an ardent defender of the cause, speaking at rallies long after others had grown tired.”

Best for: Best used for deep emotional commitment; suits speeches, literary essays, or persuasive writing.

Exhibiting great warmth and sincerity of feeling, almost to the point of urgency.

“Her fervent wish was that the children would one day understand why she had sacrificed so much.”

Best for: Ideal for emotional or spiritual contexts; implies heartfelt rather than casual enthusiasm.

Craving or consuming something with insatiable, almost consuming eagerness.

“He was a voracious reader, devouring three novels a week without slowing down.”

Best for: Punchy and vivid; works especially well when describing intellectual or appetite-driven hunger.

Fervently devoted and actively enthusiastic, often to an intense or excessive degree.

“The zealous intern arrived an hour early every day, hungry to prove her worth.”

Best for: Carries a slightly fanatical edge; great for characters or figures defined by their drive.

Figuratively parched with longing or craving, thirsting intensely for something desired.

“Athirst for knowledge, the young scholar read by candlelight until dawn broke over the rooftops.”

Best for: Archaic and poetic; best reserved for literary fiction, verse, or deliberately ornate prose.