Restless means unable to stay still or feel calm, like having energy or worry that won't let you settle down. When you're waiting for something exciting and keep fidgeting in your seat, checking the clock every few minutes, you're feeling restless. When you can't fall asleep because your mind keeps racing through thoughts, that's being restless too.

The word captures that uncomfortable feeling of needing to move or do something but not knowing quite what. A restless student might tap their pencil, swing their legs under the desk, or keep shifting position in their chair. A restless person on a long car trip constantly asks, “Are we there yet?” and struggles to sit quietly.

Restlessness can come from excitement, like the night before your birthday. It can come from worry, like before a big presentation. Sometimes people feel restless when they're bored and need a challenge, or when they have too much energy built up and need to run around outside.

When you're restless, your body or mind refuses to rest, even when you want it to. Animals can be restless too: a dog might pace back and forth when it needs to go outside, or a horse might stamp and shift its weight when it wants to run.