enthusiastically
Americanadverb
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of enthusiastically
First recorded in 1725–35; enthusiastic ( def. ) + -ally ( def. )
Explanation
When you do something enthusiastically, you do it with excitement and eagerness. You might enthusiastically accept your grandmother's invitation to join her on a European cruise. If you love your job, you'll tend to work enthusiastically, and when your favorite band is playing, you'll wait enthusiastically for them to take the stage. Enthusiastically is a great adverb for describing anything you do cheerfully, or with enthusiasm. The adjective enthusiastic originally meant "possessed by a god," and it comes from the Greek word entheos, "divinely inspired or possessed," combining the roots en, "in," and theos, "god."
Vocabulary lists containing enthusiastically
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.
Some will say yes enthusiastically, and others will say yes because they’re being polite.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 28, 2026
She went all-out, enthusiastically applying a maximalist interpretation of Supreme Court precedents.
From Slate ● Jul. 24, 2026
At the same time, "organized crime grew stronger and ran entire neighborhoods -- and prisons. Voters started to respond more enthusiastically to politicians who claimed to be anti-establishment," he said.
From Barron's ● Jun. 23, 2026
There’s something undeniably funny about watching international visitors enthusiastically embrace the very American foods that so often get mocked abroad.
From Salon ● Jun. 17, 2026
“How goods this?” said Harry enthusiastically, turning to Ron and Hermione the moment the room was elf-free again.
From "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" by J.K. Rowling
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.
