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

Sarah is an avid crafts enthusiast, with an abundance of yarn, beads and other art materials in her home.

From BBC

But car enthusiast, Gemma, believes it may drive the problem to another neighbourhood.

From BBC

Before letting Tom go, he directs him to a picnic spot that he assures the bird-watching enthusiast he will find beautiful, telling him, “You’re a decent man.”

From Salon

She was also a scuba diver and a car enthusiast - her beloved Toyota Supra is now displayed in a Nara museum.

From BBC

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

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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