enthuse

[en-thooz]

verb (used without object)

enthused, enthusing 

1. to be or become enthusiastic; show enthusiasm.

   All the neighbors enthused over the new baby.

verb (used with object)

enthused, enthusing 

1. to cause to become enthusiastic.

enthuse

/ ɪnˈθjuːz /

verb

1. to feel or show or cause to feel or show enthusiasm

Usage

The verb enthuse is a 19th-century back formation from the noun enthusiasm. Originally an Americanism, enthuse is now standard and well established in the speech and all but the most formal writing of educated persons, in both Britain and the United States. It is used as a transitive verb meaning “to cause to become enthusiastic” ( The liveliness of the dance enthused the audience ) and as an intransitive verb meaning “to show enthusiasm” ( She enthused warmly over his performance ). Despite its long history and frequent occurrence, however, enthuse is still strongly disapproved of by many.

Other Word Forms

• quasi-enthused adjective
• unenthused adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of enthuse¹

1820–30, back formation from enthusiasm

Example Sentences

“I love having a super dirty script,” she enthuses late one afternoon in early November at a Mid City cafe.

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“We are inspired by your success!” one girl enthused.

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Waters still enthuses about pickleball like those neighbors who can’t stop talking about their Saturday group.

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He was as enthused about the set-free processes of making “Avatar” as he had been about building an ocean liner for “Titanic.”

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Lassie, less enthused, refuses to eat food from it.

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Related Words

• arouse 
• bring about 
• cause 
• elicit 
• galvanize 
• generate 
• incite 
• induce 
• inflame 
• inspire 
• instigate 
• kindle 
• lead to www.thesaurus.com
• motivate 
• precipitate 
• prompt 
• stir