enthusiastic
Americanadjective
adjective
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of enthusiastic
First recorded in 1595–1605; from Greek enthousiastikós; see enthusiast ( def. ), -ic ( def. )
Explanation
Enthusiastic appreciation for something is more than just liking it — it's loving it. You're an enthusiastic fan of Italian food if you not only like it, you can't live without it. Enthusiastic's Greek origins paint a vivid picture of how an enthusiastic person got that way, as the word literally means "possessed by a god." You may recognize the "god" part of the word — theos, as in theology — "the study of God." If you're enthusiastic about working on your vocabulary words, you don't have to be reminded to do it — you can't wait.
Vocabulary lists containing enthusiastic
The SAT: Words to Capture Tone, List 2
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The New SAT: Words to Capture Tone
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Words to Describe Yourself on a Resume
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Voters in the coastal community were less enthusiastic, however, with even local Reform supporters dismissing the poll.
From Barron's ● Aug. 14, 2026
"It's crazy!" uttered a woman as the crowd beside suddenly burst into enthusiastic applause.
From Barron's ● Aug. 12, 2026
Ron pulls off the speech and gets an enthusiastic round of applause.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 12, 2026
My inbox recently has been full of enthusiastic, and occasionally menacing, fans, wondering why I hadn’t tested Garmin, their favorite wrist-computer.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 9, 2026
“Yes,” Mother answered, eliciting enthusiastic reactions from around the table.
From "City Spies" by James Ponti
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
