enthuse
Americanverb (used without object)
verb (used with object)
verb
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
Etymology
Origin of enthuse
1820–30, back formation from enthusiasm
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.
“Great!” the man enthused, ignoring or not hearing the surlier comments.
From Literature
"Especially after staff meetings, I see staff running off to practice; they are really enthused and excited about what's on offer," she said.
From BBC
Not everyone is enthused by their comeback, and challenges remain.
From Los Angeles Times
Voters were enthused by what they saw as her decisiveness and frank style of communication, as well as her optimism and outsider status as a woman in a male-dominated political world.
However, other analysts were less enthused, and the mixed responses to the trial data appeared to weigh on Pfizer shares along with the soft full-year outlook.
From Barron's
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.
