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- nonfa·natic noun adjective
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Word History and Origins
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Word History and Origins
Origin of fanatic1
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Synonym Study
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Example Sentences
If you are more of a coffee fanatic than anything else, you can also use a built-in timer to monitor your pour-over.
A 1974 Reader article about her bid for office praises her looks and quotes her as saying that “in 1964 my sisters and I were Goldwater fanatics.”
This also adds as well as goes to show just how fanatic people can be at times when a trend hits them.
The tech giant announced some important new additions to its now veteran devices, and in general those additions may make many consumers take notice, particularly ones who are health fanatics.
Then earlier this month, Nintendo gave video game fanatics some hope by saying its supply chain problems were nearly fixed.
After reading Ever Yours, if nothing else, one can start to understand how such a fanatic mind could produce such fanatic art.
An anime fanatic in middle school, Jackson thought to herself one day: “Hey, maybe I should try watching real people.”
“It was no brute whom Smiley was pursuing with such mastery, no unqualified fanatic after all, no automaton,” le Carré writes.
That being said, what Friends fanatic wouldn't like to give Brad Pitt a little slap?
His tone as captured by the video he then posted on Facebook is not manifestly that of some a fanatic or a psychopath.
His impetuosity called forth the expression, “He is a fanatic who will lead us to a precipice.”
It is but too true that one fanatic is sufficient for the commission of a parricide, without any accomplice.
His face shone with extraordinary brilliancy, due, no doubt, to the excess of strength which his fanatic devotion gave him.
But there was no telling at what moment these fanatic Mexicans would discover what was going on, and balk it all.
He had always been a loyal citizen—not a fanatic, but loyal—and it wasn't easy for him to question his own basic assumptions.
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More About Fanatic
What does fanatic mean?
A fanatic is a person with an extreme and often unquestioning enthusiasm, devotion, or zeal for something, such as a religion, political stance, or cause.
This sense of the word is typically used negatively to imply that someone takes such devotion too far, as in They’re considered religious fanatics due to their extreme practices. Close synonyms are extremist, radical, and zealot.
Other times, fanatic is not used negatively but instead simply refers to someone who is extreme in their devotion or enthusiasm for an interest or hobby. For example, calling someone a sports fanatic means they’re an extremely enthusiastic fan of sports. In fact, the word fan is a shortening of fanatic.
Less commonly, fanatic can be used as an adjective meaning the same thing as fanatical—having and motivated by extreme enthusiasm or devotion.
Example: We dismiss them as fanatics, but their beliefs may be more widespread than we think.
Where does fanatic come from?
The first records of the word fanatic come from around 1530. It comes from the Latin fānāticus, meaning “pertaining to a temple, inspired by divinity, frantic.”
The devotion and enthusiasm of a fanatic goes beyond normal interest. It’s intense, extreme, and often unconditional, meaning it will probably continue no matter what—even in spite of evidence that such fanatical beliefs are wrong or dangerous.
Even when fanatic is not used in a negative way and simply refers to a fan, it often implies that someone is a die-hard fan who will continue to support the subject of their fandom no matter what.
Did you know ... ?
What are some other forms related to fanatic?
- fanatical (adjective)
- fanaticism (noun)
- fanaticize (verb)
What are some synonyms for fanatic?
What are some words that share a root or word element with fanatic?
What are some words that often get used in discussing fanatic?
How is fanatic used in real life?
When used negatively, fanatic is especially used in the context of religion and politics. When it’s used to mean “huge fan,” it’s especially used in the context of sports.
No form of education or exposure can reform a tribalistic and religious fanatic. It's a lost cause.
— EIBRO (@Kaylonati) August 23, 2020
By living a focused life. Great achievers stayed focused on their goal. They are so single-minded that they are often considered fanatics.
— marvin andrews (@marvellous_77) November 24, 2014
I'm a college basketball fanatic. I live in lexington ky and it's the biggest college basketball community. It's like a sin to not like basketball here 😂
— Casey (@caseyleighwit) April 14, 2018
Try using fanatic!
Which of the following words is NOT a synonym of fanatic?
A. devotee
B. extremist
C. opponent
D. radical
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