enthuse

[ en-thooz ]

/ ɛnˈθuz /

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See synonyms for: enthuse / enthused on Thesaurus.com

verb (used without object), en·thused, en·thus·ing.

to be or become enthusiastic; show enthusiasm: All the neighbors enthused over the new baby.

verb (used with object), en·thused, en·thus·ing.

to cause to become enthusiastic.

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Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of enthuse

1820–30, Americanism; back formation from enthusiasm

usage note for enthuse

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 WORDS FROM enthuse

qua·si-en·thused, adjectiveun·en·thused, adjective

Words nearby enthuse

enthrall, enthralled, enthralling, enthrone, enthronement, enthuse, enthusiasm, enthusiast, enthusiastic, enthymeme, entice

How to use enthuse in a sentence

It will protect their darling fruit inside whatever bag they want to throw it in, and when someone stares at it skeptically they can enthuse about the wonders of the Banana Bunker.
Gadgets to gift to the most boring people you know|Sara Chodosh|November 14, 2021|Popular-Science
That was 23 times what was produced by all conventional fuels combined, he enthused.
The Disneyfication of Atomic Power - Issue 107: The Edge|Jacob Darwin Hamblin|October 6, 2021|Nautilus
Adam Epstein of Perpetua described these as the “hot ad of 2020,” and enthused about improved capabilities coming down the pike this year.
Amazon U: Advertising Beyond Search Recap: How to leverage your brand on the e-commerce giant|Sara Jerde|March 31, 2021|Digiday
When Narazaki got home and enthused to her institute colleagues, she found that they had recorded circling or spiraling bouts now and then in other marine animals.
Why do sea turtles, penguins and sharks sometimes just swim in circles or spirals?|Susan Milius|March 23, 2021|Science News

BALA leaders, meanwhile, enthuse about the wave of public attention their cause is receiving.
The Shady Group Behind the African-American Anti-Immigration Rally|Michelle Cottle|July 12, 2013|DAILY BEAST
The events of that season were well calculated to enthuse the Confederate and to depress the Federal force.
Stone's River|Wilson J. Vance
Books to help uplift the young, to give them high ideas of life, to enthuse them with desires to live for a purpose!
Ester Ried Yet Speaking|Isabella Alden
The listener would enthuse in her turn, sometimes wholeheartedly, sometimes with an undercurrent of sadness or regret.
Lady Cassandra|Mrs George de Horne Vaizey
Even the contemplation of that happy state failed to enthuse.
The House of the Misty Star|Fannie Caldwell Macaulay
He didnt even enthuse when he took a sip of Moselle that matched the Malasol and had more bouquet than the flowers.
Nothing But the Truth|Frederic S. Isham

British Dictionary definitions for enthuse

enthuse

/ (ɪnˈθjuːz) /

verb

to feel or show or cause to feel or show enthusiasm

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

enthuse

Origin of enthuse

usage note for enthuse

OTHER WORDS FROM enthuse

Words nearby enthuse

Words related to enthuse

How to use enthuse in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for enthuse