enthusiasm

noun

en·​thu·​si·​asm in-ˈthü-zē-ˌa-zəm 

en-,

 also  -ˈthyü-

1

a

: strong excitement of feeling : ardor

did her work with energy and enthusiasm

b

: something inspiring zeal or fervor

his enthusiasms include sailing and fishing

2

a

: belief in special revelations of the Holy Spirit

b

: religious fanaticism

Did you know?

What is the history of enthusiasm?

It may come as a surprise to many people, when they first look up the word enthusiasm, to see that its original meaning has to do with passion for religion, rather than passionate or eager interest in general. A brief explanation of the word’s etymology should clear this up. Enthusiasm entered the English language around the beginning of the 17th century. It was borrowed from the Greek enthousiasmos, meaning “inspiration or possession by a god.” For the first two hundred or so years that it was used in English, enthusiasm was primarily employed to refer to beliefs or passions that related to religion. By the beginning of the 18th century, however, the word began to be used to describe having strong feelings or interest in secular matters.

Synonyms

• buzz
• chic
• craze
• dernier cri
• fad
• fashion
• flavor
• go
• hot ticket
• last word
• latest
• mode
• rage
• sensation
• style
• ton
• trend
• vogue

Choose the Right Synonym for enthusiasm

passion, fervor, ardor, enthusiasm, zeal mean intense emotion compelling action.

passion applies to an emotion that is deeply stirring or ungovernable.

gave in to his passions

fervor implies a warm and steady emotion.

read the poem aloud with great fervor

ardor suggests warm and excited feeling likely to be fitful or short-lived.

the ardor of their honeymoon soon faded

enthusiasm applies to lively or eager interest in or admiration for a proposal, cause, or activity.

never showed much enthusiasm for sports

zeal implies energetic and unflagging pursuit of an aim or devotion to a cause.

preaches with fanatical zeal

Examples of enthusiasm in a Sentence

Hour by hour, minute by minute, Guerrero is a racehorse, sitting upright in a chair, revising copy, clarifying names and places, sprinkling the reports with jokes while a producer talks in her ear—then delivering with breakneck speed and unflagging enthusiasm. —Joel Drucker, Cigar Aficionado, May/June 2003

The Gower has a bewitching effect on my children. Perhaps it is because of having been cooped up in the car for four hours, but once we are negotiating the windy road along this southern Welsh peninsula, they are all gushing with enthusiasm. —Emma Haughton, Times (London), 12 Aug. 2000

Now that he was awake, he couldn't understand how he could have slept through the racket the birds were making. "Oliver," Harry croaked. "It's the crack of dawn." "Exactly," said Wood. He was a tall and burly sixth year and, at the moment, his eyes were gleaming with a crazed enthusiasm. "It's part of our new training program. Come on, grab your broom, and let's go," said Wood heartily. "It's part of our new training program. Come on, grab your broom, and let's go," said Wood heartily. These days, even the wiliest brand-builders are at least a little anxious about the emerging teenage market, with its stylistic balkanization, shifting folkways and unpredictably spiking enthusiasms. —J. K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, 1999

The party supported its candidate with enthusiasm.

He seems to lack enthusiasm for the work he's doing.

Among his latest enthusiasms are sailing and fishing.

Recent Examples on the Web

Biden left the race in late July, endorsing Harris — and she was greeted with a wave of enthusiasm and support as the Democratic Party quickly coalesced around her. —Todd Spangler, Detroit Free Press, 6 Nov. 2024

As the surge of enthusiasm over Beijing’s September economic stimulus effort has dissipated, the authorities have promised more. —Milton Ezrati, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024

The fallout from the 2020 debacle — which led to charges against dozens of GOP party operatives — has sapped some of the enthusiasm for a repeat. —Sophia Cai, Axios, 5 Nov. 2024

While Democrats and Republicans say the chances of Harris outright winning Iowa are slim, Democrats say the enthusiasm among Hawkeye State women could be indicative of Harris’s support with women across the country. —Julia Manchester, The Hill, 5 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Late Latin & Greek; Late Latin enthūsiasmos "inspiration, frenzy," borrowed from Greek enthousiasmós, from enthousiázein "to be inspired or possessed by a god" (re-formation of entheázein —perhaps by crossing with thysiázein "to sacrifice"— verbal derivative of éntheos, énthous "possessed by a god, inspired," from en- en- entry 2 + -theos, adjectival derivative of theós "god") + -asmos, variant after -i- of -ismos -ism

First Known Use

1595, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

Kids Definition

enthusiasm

noun

en·​thu·​si·​asm in-ˈth(y)ü-zē-ˌaz-əm 

1

: strong excitement and active interest

2

: something causing a feeling of excitement and active interest