aficionado

Sometimes af·fi·cio·na·do

[uh-fish-yuh-nah-doh, ah-fee-thyaw-nah-thaw, ah-fee-syaw-]

noun

plural

aficionados 

1. an ardent devotee; fan, enthusiast.

aficionado

/ afiθjoˈnaðo, əˌfɪʃjəˈnɑːdəʊ /

noun

1. an ardent supporter or devotee

   a jazz aficionado

2. a devotee of bullfighting

Word History and Origins

Origin of aficionado¹

First recorded in 1835–45; from Spanish: literally, “amateur,” past participle -ado ( -ate ¹ ) of aficionar “to engender affection,” equivalent to afición affection ¹ + -ar infinitive suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of aficionado¹

Spanish, from aficionar to arouse affection, from afición _affection

Example Sentences

But when lightning strikes, and water, oats and salt harmonize in just the right combination of color, consistency and flavor, it can be a thing of beauty, aficionados say.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

And it’s big enough that users feel they can anonymously sneak into the facilities without buying anything, Manhattan bathroom aficionados said.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The film is like a fountain of champagne for theater aficionados.

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Sold only in the farm store, they star at annual tastings that draw aficionados.

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Framed together, they’d be a stunning display for any lotto aficionado.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• connoisseur 
• devotee 
• enthusiast 
• fanatic