enthusiastic
Americanadjective
adjective
Other Word Forms
- antienthusiastic adjective
- enthusiastically adverb
- hyperenthusiastic adjective
- nonenthusiastic adjective
- overenthusiastic adjective
- pseudoenthusiastic adjective
- quasi-enthusiastic adjective
- unenthusiastic adjective
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.
Most recently, Ternus oversaw the launch of Apple’s budget laptop, the MacBook Neo, which was met with enthusiastic demand from consumers.
From MarketWatch • Apr. 20, 2026
“We’re enthusiastic that David will fulfill his promises,” Aron said.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 16, 2026
With the conversation having now switched to Urdu, she appeared much more enthusiastic about helping our reporter stay in the country, discussing how he could apply for asylum on the grounds that he's gay.
From BBC • Apr. 15, 2026
It also writes instructions on the kind of responses you prefer: less enthusiastic writing, perhaps, or bullet points instead of long-winded paragraphs.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 11, 2026
Jenna wasn’t an enthusiastic fan of things Audrey liked to do, like practicing yoga, taking online quizzes, and complaining about Conner.
From "Keep It Together, Keiko Carter" by Debbi Michiko Florence
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.
