adjective
- characterized by or showing inability to remain at rest: a restless mood.
- unquiet or uneasy, as a person, the mind, or the heart.
- never at rest; perpetually agitated or in motion: the restless sea.
- without rest; without restful sleep: a restless night.
- unceasingly active; averse to quiet or inaction, as persons: a restless crowd.
adjective
- unable to stay still or quiet
- ceaselessly active or movingthe restless wind
- worried; anxious; uneasy
- not restful; without reposea restless night
late 14c., from rest (n.1) + -less. A general Germanic compound (cf. Frisian restleas, Dutch rusteloos, German rastlos, Danish rastlös). Meaning “stirring constantly, desirous of action” is attested from late 15c. Related: Restlessly; restlessness. Old English had restleas “deprived of sleep.”