enthuse
[en-thooz]
- to be or become enthusiastic; show enthusiasm: All the neighbors enthused over the new baby.
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- to cause to become enthusiastic.
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Origin of enthuse
Usage note
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.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for enthused
Contemporary Examples
Almost everything in it has potential for bipartisan support, he enthused.
What a sauce that is,” he enthused, “which dresses an oyster I suck from the mouth of the woman I love!
Seduce Like a Writer: How 7 Famous Scribes WooedJoni Rendon, Shannon McKenna Schmidt
February 13, 2014
Online, the reaction to the congress was less than enthused, especially on Chinese microblogs collectively known as Weibo.
Jewish voters in Florida, according to a report in the Forward, are less than enthused about this presidential election.
“I realized the meaning of life after watching this,” enthused one recent commenter.
Historical Examples
"You shall know the most wonderful girl of all," enthused Helen.
Jane Allen: CenterEdith Bancroft
By the look on my wife's face I could tell that she was enthused, too.
Those Times And TheseIrvin S. Cobb
"Swell," enthused Neil, this time his face twisted into a grimace of pleasure.
All In The MindGene L. Henderson
Captain Clarke got him all enthused; the Captain promised to write, too.
Chicken Little Jane on the Big JohnLily Munsell Ritchie
Hautecoeur was talking with an enthused fervor that swept him into metaphor.
The Key to YesterdayCharles Neville Buck
enthuse
- to feel or show or cause to feel or show enthusiasm
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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
Word Origin and History for enthused
enthuse
v.
1827, American English, back-formation from enthusiasm. Originally often humorous or with affected ignorance. Related: enthused; enthusing.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper