enthuse
[en-thooz]
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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.
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. 2019
Related Words for enthuses
thrill, faze, excite, touch, affect, awe, sway, inspire, prompt, stir, incite, motivate, induce, generate, inflame, elicit, arouse, galvanize, kindle, precipitateExamples from the Web for enthuses
Contemporary Examples of enthuses
As he enthuses, jokes and extemporizes, it is obvious why he found success as a comedian and performer.
Historical Examples of enthuses
As a public reader, Miss Brown delights and enthuses her audiences.
He who attracts and enthuses can for a time command attention.
Seed Thoughts for SingersFrank Herbert Tubbs
enthuse
verb
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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enthuse
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper