enthusiasm

[en-thoo-zee-az-uhm]

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noun

absorbing or controlling possession of the mind by any interest or pursuit; lively interest: He shows marked enthusiasm for his studies.

an occupation, activity, or pursuit in which such interest is shown: Hunting is his latest enthusiasm.

any of various forms of extreme religious devotion, usually associated with intense emotionalism and a break with orthodoxy.

Nearby words

Origin of enthusiasm

1570–80; < Late Latin enthūsiasmus < Greek enthousiasmós, equivalent to enthousí(a) possession by a god (énthous, variant of éntheos having a god within, equivalent to en- en-² + -thous, -theos god-possessing + -ia -y³) + -asmos, variant, after vowel stems, of -ismos -ism

SYNONYMS FOR enthusiasm

1. eagerness, warmth, fervor, zeal, ardor, passion, devotion.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR enthusiasm ON THESAURUS.COM

ANTONYMS FOR enthusiasm

1. indifference.

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Related forms

an·ti·en·thu·si·asm, nounhy·per·en·thu·si·asm, nouno·ver·en·thu·si·asm, nounpre·en·thu·si·asm, noun

un·en·thu·si·asm, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for enthusiasm

Having finally seen Selma on November 17, I must report, sadly, that I do not share the enthusiasm the film has generated so far.
Dr. King Goes to Hollywood: The Flawed History of ‘Selma’|Gary May|January 2, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Yet for all his enthusiasm for the American film industry, he remained forever an expatriate.
Alfred Hitchcock’s Fade to Black: The Great Director’s Final Days|David Freeman|December 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST
I so loved the fierce bodily contact of football that I suppose my enthusiasm made up somewhat for my lack of size.
How His West Point Football Experience Inspired Eisenhower|Nicolaus Mills|November 11, 2014|DAILY BEAST
But the enthusiasm has not dropped off among conservatives.
With Ernst and Gardner, Republicans Think They’ve Found the Formula|Eleanor Clift|November 4, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Page, who is with the girls when we speak, says she can “see their enthusiasm, their energy.”
Meet the Liberian Girls Beating Ebola|Abby Haglage|October 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
A handsome man is very dry fuel near a young lady's warm heart—her enthusiasm soon glows into a blaze.
Miles Tremenhere, Vol 1 of 2|Annette Marie Maillard
The responsive face lighted and weariness gave place to the glow of enthusiasm.
Destiny|Charles Neville Buck
A thousand persons met the delegates in that town; formed their own council, and embraced the league with enthusiasm.
The History of Tasmania, Volume I (of 2)|John West
American men realize the tremendous value of enthusiasm and they seek to exploit it.
Over Here|Hector MacQuarrie
The enthusiasm excited in the capital surpassed any thing which had ever before been witnessed.
Louis XIV., Makers of History Series|John S. C. Abbott

British Dictionary definitions for enthusiasm

enthusiasm

noun

ardent and lively interest or eagerness

an object of keen interest; passion

archaic extravagant or unbalanced religious fervour

obsolete possession or inspiration by a god

Word Origin for enthusiasm

C17: from Late Latin enthūsiasmus, from Greek enthousiasmos, from enthousiazein to be possessed by a god, from entheos inspired, from en- ² + theos god

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 enthusiasm

enthusiasm

c.1600, from Middle French enthousiasme (16c.) and directly from Late Latin enthusiasmus, from Greek enthousiasmos "divine inspiration," from enthousiazein "be inspired or possessed by a god, be rapt, be in ecstasy," from entheos "divinely inspired, possessed by a god," from en "in" (see en- (2)) + theos "god" (see Thea). Acquired a derogatory sense of "excessive religious emotion" (1650s) under the Puritans; generalized sense of "fervor, zeal" (the main modern sense) is first recorded 1716.