Agitated means stirred up, disturbed, or made restless and uneasy. When you're agitated, you feel anxious and can't quite settle down. You might pace around the room, fidget with your hands, or find it impossible to sit still. Your thoughts race, and you feel wound up inside.

You might become agitated waiting for important test results, or watching your team struggle in the final minutes of a close game. A dog might become agitated during a thunderstorm, whining and pacing nervously. A crowd can become agitated if they're kept waiting too long without explanation.

The word comes from a Latin root meaning “to put in motion,” and that physical sense of being stirred up still shows in how we use it. When you shake up a bottle of soda, you're literally agitating the liquid inside, creating all those bubbles and pressure. Similarly, when something agitates you emotionally, it stirs up uncomfortable feelings that bubble under the surface.

Agitated describes a stronger state than worried or concerned, suggesting visible restlessness and an inability to calm down. When your little brother gets agitated about losing his favorite toy, he's worked up, perhaps crying or searching frantically. Being agitated makes it hard to think clearly or stay focused until whatever's bothering you gets resolved.