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

But the result, she enthuses, will be something genuine and human.

From BBC

“We don’t think any festival has focused on live sports yet, and it’s a huge part of television,” McIntyre enthuses about the Dodgers panel.

From Los Angeles Times

“Welcome to the Gory Boys! This is where everyone dies. Basically, we kill everyone in this series,” enthused Painter.

From Salon

"That was a really, really good thing for us," the businessman enthuses, showing off a production line of glistening metal machines in several rooms.

From BBC

"Harmonising on the Eurovision stage has hardly worked out in the past, but they're spot on," he enthused before the final.

From BBC

Related Words

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