enthuse
Americanverb (used without object)
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enthuses,
present (3rd person singular)
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enthused,
past participle, past
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enthusing
present participle
verb (used with object)
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enthuses,
present (3rd person singular)
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enthused,
past participle, past
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enthusing
present participle
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
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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enthusesimple
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enthusessimple
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have enthusedperfect
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has enthusedperfect
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am enthusingprogressive
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are enthusingprogressive
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is enthusingprogressive
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have been enthusingperfect progressive
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has been enthusingperfect progressive
Past
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enthusedsimple
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had enthusedperfect
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was enthusingprogressive
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were enthusingprogressive
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had been enthusingperfect progressive
Future
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.
See Examples For:
The chip maker’s record first-quarter sales weren’t enough to enthuse investors.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 21, 2026
While some tech enthusiasts enthuse about AI’s potential benefits, others fear job losses and safety issues.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 19, 2024
Ms Morgan added: "We are excited to enthuse new and existing coin collectors across the world and capture the imaginations of Star Wars' thriving fan base."
From BBC ● Mar. 18, 2024
It expects him to be a grander figure, a talisman who will gladden the jaded and enthuse audiences the orchestra has yet to enthuse.
From New York Times ● May 13, 2023
Meanwhile, those same gossipers will have found yet some other newcomer about whom to enthuse.
From "The Remains of the Day" by Kazuo Ishiguro
Wydra is the one actress outside the ‘Pitt’ crew to get the most attention: “She’s convincingly vacant and content as Zosia, a woman brainwashed by an alien virus,” enthuses Lorraine Ali.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 21, 2026
"Seeing Roya on stage was the fulfilment of a dream we built together," enthuses Kamal.
From BBC ● Nov. 11, 2025
Waters still enthuses about pickleball like those neighbors who can’t stop talking about their Saturday group.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 7, 2025
He enthuses that he “likes to decorate,” and nudges viewers to draw their own conclusions.
From Salon ● Jan. 30, 2025
A woman at the table enthuses about greyhound racing, the speed, the charge she feels watching it.
From "All the Light We Cannot See" by Anthony Doerr
Some may be hoping Berkshire is getting more enthused about the opportunities it is finding after a stretch of holding back.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 10, 2026
“Last fall, the market was enthused by CNR’s reset on targets, messaging and capex, and today’s beat and raise is the first real sign of the new plan in action,” Shanker adds.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 28, 2026
While critics were less enthused about “Euphoria’s” third season compared with its first two, Zendaya’s performance was viewed more favorably by fans and critics alike.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 8, 2026
Partygoers seemed more enthused about the vendor selling beaded plushie necklaces than about heading to the dance floor.
From Slate ● Jun. 25, 2026
Solid ceilings, she enthused, a room for Mona and Callie, and a dining room that could be made into a room for Theresa.
From "Typical American" by Gish Jen
In the middle of enthusing about a cross-stitch embroidery project, she says, “Don’t roll your eyes at me!”
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 6, 2026
I toured her house, and she was so happy with it, enthusing over its details.
From Slate ● Jan. 18, 2025
Yet new devices are coming to the market, enthusing state officials and law enforcement agencies who need a leg up in detection.
From Washington Times ● Apr. 28, 2022
On Saturday, Feb. 1, the president tweeted a photo of himself on the greens — white polo, red “Keep America Great” hat — enthusing, “Getting a little exercise this morning!”
From Washington Post ● Sep. 16, 2020
It was hard work enthusing over "Hancock and Hooray" after "Tilden and Reform;" the latter cry had substance, the former was just fustian.
From Two Thousand Miles on an Automobile Being a Desultory Narrative of a Trip Through New England, New York, Canada, and the West, By "Chauffeur" by Arthur Jerome Eddy
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.
