enthusiast

noun

en·​thu·​si·​ast in-ˈthü-zē-ˌast 

-əst,

en-,

 also  -ˈthyü-

: 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

• addict
• aficionado
• afficionado
• buff
• bug
• devotee
• fan
• fanatic
• fancier
• fiend
• fool
• freak
• habitué
• habitue
• head
• hound
• junkie
• junky
• lover
• maniac
• maven
• mavin
• nut
• sucker

Examples of enthusiast in a Sentence

skiing enthusiasts can't wait for the first snowfall of the season

Recent Examples on the Web

Watch enthusiasts from around the world have contacted the family to express their delight at the discovery, Andrew said. —Kelsey Baker, Washington Post, 23 June 2024

Although the flamingos that spent some time on a Port Washington beach have long since moved on, the rare event that attracted birders and other nature enthusiasts to the city will be commemorated in a unique way. —Angelika Ytuarte, Journal Sentinel, 20 June 2024

But, as Louisiana lawmakers have pointed out, the label isn’t going to prevent raw milk enthusiasts from drinking it anyway. —Elizabeth Yuko, Rolling Stone, 19 June 2024

An international art and architecture expert from Louis Vuitton, now at Palm Springs Art Museum, promises to bring new buzz to the California desert community that has long been a destination for Hollywood, fashion and design enthusiasts. —Booth Moore, WWD, 17 June 2024

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

Kids Definition

enthusiast

noun

en·​thu·​si·​ast in-ˈth(y)ü-zē-ˌast 

-əst

: a person filled with enthusiasm