# restless

/ˈɹɛstɫəs/ (US) · /ɹˈɛstləs/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/restless
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. unable to stay still

adjective · CEFR B2

unable to sit still or stay quiet because you are bored, nervous, or impatient.

For teachers: characterised by a lack of quiet or repose; physically or mentally unable to remain still due to anxiety or boredom.

- The children grew restless during the long car journey and started to argue.
- The audience became increasingly restless as the technical delay stretched into its second hour, with many people beginning to pace the lobby.

### 2. unable to sleep

adjective · CEFR B2

not providing rest, or having a lot of movement and waking up during the night.

For teachers: affording no rest or sleep; marked by constant tossing and turning.

- He had a restless night and woke up feeling more tired than before.
- After a restless night spent worrying about the upcoming merger, the CEO arrived at the office looking visibly exhausted.

### 3. desiring change

adjective · CEFR C1 · Literary

not satisfied with your current situation and wanting to do something new or different.

For teachers: averse to repose or peace; characterized by a discontented desire for change or new experiences.

- After five years in the same small town, she felt restless and ready to move.
- A restless spirit drove him to abandon his stable career in finance and pursue a precarious life as a travel writer in Southeast Asia.

## Examples

- The children grew restless during the long car ride.
- After three hours of waiting for the results, he became restless and started pacing the hallway.
- The population grew increasingly restless as the government failed to address the rising cost of living, leading to a series of spontaneous protests across the capital.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.