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

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

From Los Angeles Times

Fans are just regular people, often horror aficionados.

From Los Angeles Times

The mark of any true theme park aficionado is an appreciation of slow-moving, old-school dark rides, attractions that are set in darkened show buildings and often filled with an assortment of vignettes.

From Los Angeles Times

His hunt would take him to the online message boards of watch and clock aficionados, and the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum.

From Los Angeles Times

About 22 miles north of Santa Barbara, Lompoc has become a day trip destination for aerospace aficionados.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• connoisseur 
• devotee 
• enthusiast 
• fanatic