enthusiast

noun

en·​thu·​si·​ast in-ˈthü-zē-ˌast How to pronounce enthusiast (audio)
-əst,
en-,
 also  -ˈthyü-
Synonyms of enthusiastnext
: a person filled with enthusiasm: such as
a
: one who is ardently attached to a cause, object, or pursuit
a sports car enthusiast
b
: one who tends to become ardently absorbed in an interest

Synonyms

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Examples of enthusiast in a Sentence

skiing enthusiasts can't wait for the first snowfall of the season
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
This attention to detail creates experiences that keep critics and food enthusiasts coming back for more. — Jill Barth, Forbes, 14 Mar. 2025 The film begins with the league’s sole enthusiast, Franny (Cliff Blake), settling onto the grass with his portable card table, his pocket binoculars, and his scorecard; slowly, the players begin to dribble onto the field. — David Sims, The Atlantic, 14 Mar. 2025 Correspondent Seth Doane talks with one of London's last lamplighters, and with gaslight enthusiasts who have fought to protect these historic fixtures. — David Morgan, CBS News, 13 Mar. 2025 This event brings together pickleball enthusiasts, local businesses and community supporters to raise money for the youth programs of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Carlsbad. — Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for enthusiast

Word History

Etymology

earlier, "person claiming to receive divine communication or inspiration, member of a putative early Christian sect making such claims," borrowed from Late Greek enthousiastḗs, going back to Greek, "person possessed by a god," from enthousiad-, stem of enthousiázein "to be inspired or possessed by a god" + -tēs, agent suffix — more at enthusiasm

First Known Use

1748, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of enthusiast was in 1748

Rhymes for enthusiast

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Browse Nearby Words

enthusiast
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Cite this Entry

“Enthusiast.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/enthusiast. Accessed 21 Mar. 2025.

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Kids Definition

enthusiast

noun
en·​thu·​si·​ast in-ˈth(y)ü-zē-ˌast How to pronounce enthusiast (audio)
-əst
: a person filled with enthusiasm

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Nglish: Translation of enthusiast for Spanish Speakers

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