enthusiast

[en-thoo-zee-ast, -ist]

noun

1. a person who is filled with enthusiasm for some principle, pursuit, etc.; a person of ardent zeal.

   a sports enthusiast.

   Synonyms: fan, devotee, zealot

2. a religious visionary or fanatic.

enthusiast

/ ɪnˈθjuːzɪˌæst /

noun

1. a person filled with or motivated by enthusiasm; fanatic

2. archaic,  a religious visionary, esp one whose zeal for religion is extravagant or unbalanced

Other Word Forms

• antienthusiast noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of enthusiast¹

First recorded in 1600–10; from Greek enthousiastḗs “inspired person, possessed person,” from enthousí(a) “possession by a god” ( enthusiasm ) + -astēs -ast ( def. ) (variant of -istēs -ist after i )

Example Sentences

I am a true crime enthusiast, so I’ve listened to all of them.

From Los Angeles Times

It’s “designed to save coffee enthusiasts more than $1,000 annually,” according to the brand.

From Salon

News of the Australian stars’ separation broke Monday afternoon, shocking pop culture enthusiasts and swiftly inspiring memes by AMC Theater devotees.

From Los Angeles Times

While emergency responders were focused on controlling the flames at lower elevations, thousands of climbers, backpackers and other mountain enthusiasts played a dangerous game of cat and mouse with storms on the state’s storied summits.

From Los Angeles Times

Mr Sen, who runs a tour company, chanced upon a newspaper article about city enthusiasts lighting up some of the city's grand but often neglected heritage buildings.

From BBC

Related Words

• addict 
• admirer 
• aficionado 
• believer 
• buff 
• devotee 
• fan 
• fanatic 
• follower 
• lover 
• participant 
• supporter 
• zealot