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

The Sill delivers indoor and outdoor plants, gardening essentials and accessories to plant enthusiasts in all 48 states. —Anna Haines, Forbes, 23 Jan. 2025

After all, few countries do transitional indoor-outdoor living spaces quite like Mexico does, which is why design enthusiasts, digital nomads, and jet-setters head below the border in droves whenever the need for sun and visual inspiration strikes. —Erika Owen, Architectural Digest, 23 Jan. 2025

There are even mini snowmobiles for kids ages 4 to 13. Lucerne, Switzerland As temperatures fall below freezing, the cities and towns in the Swiss Alps — like Lucerne — beckon to winter sports enthusiasts, as well as those who want an extra large helping of alpine charm. —Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 22 Jan. 2025

Why do the rank-and-file MAGA enthusiasts favor such slim-fit suits when Trump himself often wears things that are quite baggy? —Vittoria Elliott, WIRED, 21 Jan. 2025

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