Expressing excitement or anticipation can be done in various ways, and the phrase “can’t wait” might sometimes feel too casual or overused. By exploring other ways to say “can’t wait”, you can add more variety and nuance to your language, whether you’re in informal conversations, professional discussions, or creative contexts. From the lively “I’m eager for it” to the more formal “I look forward to it,” these expressions allow you to convey the same enthusiasm in a different tone.

In this post, we’ll explore 15 alternatives to “can’t wait,” along with explanations and examples, to help you enhance your communication. Whether you’re showing impatience or excitement, these phrases enable you to express your feelings with style.

What to Say Instead of “Can’t Wait”

Here are 15 ways to say “Can’t wait”:

I’m eager for it
I’m looking forward to it
I’m excited for it
I can hardly wait
I’m counting down the days
I’m thrilled about it
I’m anticipating it
I’m so excited
I’m chomping at the bit
I’m pumped for it
I’m really looking forward to it
I’m waiting eagerly
I’m on the edge of my seat
I’m impatient for it
I’m stoked for it

1. I’m eager for it

“I’m eager for it” conveys a strong anticipation, suggesting you’re not only excited but also prepared for what’s to come. This phrase carries a sense of readiness and is particularly useful in more formal settings where you want to express excitement without being overly casual. It’s an appropriate choice when you want to communicate both enthusiasm and preparedness.

Usage Examples:

To a friend: “I’m eager for our weekend trip, it’s going to be amazing!”
To a colleague: “I’m eager for the meeting tomorrow to get started on the new project.”
To a family member: “I’m eager for our dinner tonight, it’s been too long!”

2. I’m looking forward to it

“I’m looking forward to it” is a universally used expression that optimistically conveys anticipation. It’s a versatile phrase suitable for both casual and professional conversations. By using it, you express a hopeful outlook toward what’s coming, signaling a pleasant expectation without sounding overly eager or impatient.

Usage Examples:

To a colleague: “I’m looking forward to working on this new project with you.”
To a friend: “I’m looking forward to our vacation together!”
To a family member: “I’m really looking forward to our family reunion next month.”

3. I’m excited for it

“I’m excited for it” is a direct and energetic way of expressing anticipation. It’s an ideal choice when you want to show enthusiasm clearly, especially in informal situations where you feel comfortable expressing high energy. The phrase conveys excitement while maintaining a friendly and approachable tone.

Usage Examples:

To a friend: “I’m excited for the concert this weekend!”
To a colleague: “I’m excited for the new opportunity we discussed.”
To a partner: “I’m excited for our weekend getaway.”

4. I can hardly wait

Saying “I can hardly wait” is an expression that communicates impatience and excitement. It emphasizes a sense of urgency, implying that the upcoming event is so highly anticipated that waiting feels difficult.

This phrase works well when you’re expressing enthusiasm with a playful or informal tone, and it’s particularly effective when you’re eager for something close at hand.

Usage Examples:

To a friend: “I can hardly wait to see you this weekend!”
To a family member: “I can hardly wait for the holidays to start.”
To a colleague: “I can hardly wait for the new product to launch.”

5. I’m counting down the days

“I’m counting down the days” illustrates how eagerly you’re anticipating something, as if each day is another step closer to the event.

This expression emphasizes the significance of the upcoming event in your life, suggesting that you are looking forward to it with great enthusiasm and are actively marking time until it arrives.

Usage Examples:

To a friend: “I’m counting down the days until our trip!”
To a colleague: “I’m counting down the days to the project deadline.”
To a partner: “I’m counting down the days until we get to see each other again.”

6. I’m thrilled about it

“I’m thrilled about it” conveys an intense sense of joy and excitement, often used when you’re excited about something important. It shows a deeper level of enthusiasm, making it suitable for both casual and formal settings where you want to communicate genuine happiness. The phrase suggests that the event or situation brings you considerable joy.

Usage Examples:

To a friend: “I’m thrilled about the news! I can’t wait to celebrate!”
To a colleague: “I’m thrilled about our upcoming conference.”
To a family member: “I’m thrilled about the family vacation next month.”

7. I’m anticipating it

“I’m anticipating it” expresses eagerness but in a more formal and measured way. It indicates that you’re expecting something with positive thoughts, but it doesn’t carry the same rush or impatience as other expressions.

This makes it ideal for situations where you want to convey excitement with a bit more composure and elegance.

Usage Examples:

To a colleague: “I’m anticipating the upcoming team-building event.”
To a friend: “I’m anticipating our movie night this weekend!”
To a partner: “I’m anticipating our anniversary celebration.”

8. I’m so excited

“I’m so excited” is a simple, enthusiastic expression of excitement. It’s a go-to phrase for informal situations where you want to show unfiltered enthusiasm. This phrase communicates strong excitement and is especially suitable when you’re expressing excitement in casual or fun contexts.

Usage Examples:

To a friend: “I’m so excited for the weekend!”
To a colleague: “I’m so excited for the new project to begin.”
To a family member: “I’m so excited for your wedding!”

9. I’m chomping at the bit

“I’m chomping at the bit” conveys not only excitement but also impatience, suggesting you are ready to begin and can hardly wait. It evokes the image of a horse eager to start a race, which makes it a playful and energetic expression. This idiom works best in informal settings, particularly when you want to show eagerness and a bit of restlessness.

Usage Examples:

To a friend: “I’m chomping at the bit to go on this trip with you.”
To a colleague: “I’m chomping at the bit for the new project to start.”
To a family member: “I’m chomping at the bit for the concert tonight!”

10. I’m pumped for it

“I’m pumped for it” is an energetic and informal way to express enthusiasm. It’s often used when you’re really excited about an event or activity, conveying an upbeat and high-energy vibe.

This phrase works best in informal situations, especially when you want to convey excitement in a way that’s casual and hype-driven.

Usage Examples:

To a friend: “I’m pumped for the concert tonight!”
To a colleague: “I’m pumped for the upcoming presentation.”
To a family member: “I’m pumped for our family trip next week.”

11. I’m really looking forward to it

“I’m really looking forward to it” amplifies the common “looking forward to it,” making it sound more heartfelt and excited.

This expression communicates a deep sense of anticipation, and it’s suitable for both professional and personal settings. By using it, you emphasize the importance of the event and your eagerness without sounding overly casual.

Usage Examples:

To a friend: “I’m really looking forward to our weekend getaway.”
To a colleague: “I’m really looking forward to working with you on this project.”
To a partner: “I’m really looking forward to our dinner date tonight.”

12. I’m waiting eagerly

“I’m waiting eagerly” implies a strong desire and readiness but with a sense of calm. It shows that you’re anticipating something, but in a way that suggests you can wait for it without frustration.

This expression works well when you want to convey excitement in a more composed manner, making it suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Usage Examples:

To a friend: “I’m waiting eagerly for our next get-together.”
To a colleague: “I’m waiting eagerly for the new launch.”
To a partner: “I’m waiting eagerly to spend the weekend with you.”

13. I’m on the edge of my seat

“I’m on the edge of my seat” is a figurative way to express how engaging and exciting something is to you. It suggests that you’re so captivated and anxious to see what happens next that you can barely sit still.

This expression is often used when you’re waiting for something suspenseful or thrilling, making it ideal for informal settings.

Usage Examples:

To a friend: “I’m on the edge of my seat waiting to hear what happens next!”
To a colleague: “I’m on the edge of my seat for the upcoming presentation.”
To a family member: “I’m on the edge of my seat waiting for the holidays!”

14. I’m impatient for it

“I’m impatient for it” expresses excitement combined with a sense of urgency. It shows that you are eagerly awaiting something but are also feeling a bit of impatience due to the anticipation.

This phrase is suitable when you want to express your eagerness in a direct and somewhat frustrated way, without completely losing your excitement.

Usage Examples:

To a friend: “I’m impatient for our trip to start.”
To a colleague: “I’m impatient for the new phase of the project to begin.”
To a family member: “I’m impatient for your wedding day!”

15. I’m stoked for it

“I’m stoked for it” is a very casual, upbeat phrase that communicates strong excitement. It’s a term often used in informal settings, expressing excitement with a relaxed tone.

This phrase works well when you want to convey that you are highly enthusiastic about something upcoming, particularly in situations where excitement is the dominant emotion.

Usage Examples:

To a friend: “I’m stoked for the weekend getaway!”
To a colleague: “I’m stoked for the new project we’re starting.”
To a partner: “I’m stoked for our vacation next month!”

Conclusion

When expressing excitement or anticipation, relying solely on the phrase “can’t wait” can sound monotonous. Exploring other ways to say “can’t wait” not only enriches your vocabulary but also allows you to adjust your tone based on the context. Whether in a professional environment or a casual conversation, diversifying your language ensures your enthusiasm comes across clearly and effectively.

At Other Ways To Say, we provide a variety of phrases that convey eagerness, from more polished expressions to relaxed, energetic alternatives. These variations elevate your communication and better reflect the intensity of your excitement.

Thomas Schneider

Thomas Schneider is a language enthusiast and expert in synonyms, dedicated to exploring the beauty of words and their nuanced meanings. With a passion for linguistics and clear communication, Thomas helps readers enrich their vocabulary and understand the subtle art of word choice. Whether you’re a writer, student, or language lover, his insights offer practical tools to elevate your language skills.