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.
The ad depicts two grandparents enthusiastically hugging a young boy, but when they approach their granddaughter she appears unhappy about the exchange.
From BBC ● Oct. 22, 2026
No industrialist embraced the soybean more enthusiastically than Henry Ford.
From Salon ● Sep. 13, 2026
People lined up to ask it questions and it enthusiastically provided answers, declining when it didn’t know.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 12, 2026
His friend Scarlett was the one who enthusiastically pushed Nasa’s hand up when Hurwitz, panicking, asked if anyone in the audience was an “amazing sight reader.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 3, 2026
“We haven’t met, I’m Dapo,” the man sitting on the other side of Okwudiba said, reaching across to shake Obinze’s hand enthusiastically, as though Obinze had just sprung into existence.
From "Americanah" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
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