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 )

Related Words

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