restless

Not allowing or affording rest.

Adjective

  1. Not allowing or affording rest.
    • The night before his wedding was a restless one.
  2. Without rest; unable to be still or quiet; uneasy; continually moving.
    • He was a restless child.
    • She sat, restless and nervous, and tried to concentrate.
    • If that is the case, she recommends getting up, walking around the house and doing some stretches to ease the restless feeling before trying again to get to sleep. - 2024 March 11, Madeline Holcombe, “What to do on the...

    Synonyms: antsy

  3. Not satisfied to be at rest or in peace; averse to repose; eager for change; discontented.
    • A restless ambition.
  4. Deprived of rest or sleep.
    • They remained restless, sitting by the window the entire night.

Origin

Etymology tree Proto-Germanic *rastō Proto-West Germanic *rastu Old English ræst Proto-Indo-European *lewh₁- Proto-Indo-European *lewHs-der. Proto-Germanic *leusaną Proto-Germanic *lausaz Proto-Germanic *-lausaz Proto-West Germanic *-laus Old English -lēas Old English ræstlēas Middle English restles English restless From Middle English restles, restelees, from Old English ræstlēas, equivalent to rest + -less.

Forms

more restless most restless

Derived

restless cavy restless flycatcher restless genital syndrome restless legs restless legs syndrome restless leg syndrome restlessly restlessness the natives are getting restless the natives are restless