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.
We spent that entire day together reconnecting, and then the enthusiastic vibe continued.
From Los Angeles Times • May 15, 2026
Except, perhaps, Jackson’s most enthusiastic fans who refuse to believe Safechuck and Robson.
From Salon • May 14, 2026
An enthusiastic fan of the Royal Family who was reportedly nicknamed "The Union Jack Man" by the late Queen Elizabeth II has died, aged 91.
From BBC • May 10, 2026
Gayner tells Barron’s that the board will evaluate the Jana letter, but he didn’t sound enthusiastic about it.
From Barron's • May 8, 2026
I was expecting an enthusiastic response, not… whatever this is.
From "South of Somewhere" by Kalena Miller
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.
