aficionado
Americannoun
plural
aficionadosnoun
-
an ardent supporter or devotee
a jazz aficionado
-
a devotee of bullfighting
Etymology
Origin of aficionado
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
Explanation
If you really like something and make it your business to study up on its history and characteristics, you could be called an aficionado of that subject. This sort of funny-looking word might seem like it needs a second “f,” but it really doesn’t, and you should hold out on the temptation to add another one. (The single “f” spelling is a result of the word’s Spanish heritage.) The word aficionado implies serious study and fervent interest, but you can think of it as just a fancy way to say fan. You could call yourself a football aficionado, for example, if you think that sounds more impressive than just saying you’re a football fan.
Vocabulary lists containing aficionado
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
If he’s an aficionado of fiction, there’s quite a few in the latest Booker Prize shortlist.
From MarketWatch • Jan. 17, 2026
Bartlett, on the other hand, says he is a longtime soccer aficionado who stumbled upon the canceled Total 90 trademark while looking up names for a soccer fantasy app he wanted to develop.
From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 25, 2025
Framed together, they’d be a stunning display for any lotto aficionado.
From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 7, 2025
Chef Dale Talde, an accomplished and decorated chef with a cookbook, various restaurants, two appearances in the golden era of "Top Chef" and numerous Food Network appearances, also happens to also a grilling aficionado.
From Salon • Apr. 29, 2025
People always assume that because I am into classical music, I’m a jazz aficionado.
From "If I Stay" by Gayle Forman
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
