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.
Some analysts also worry that investors have grown too enthusiastic, a signal that a selloff could be on the horizon.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 23, 2026
“He was incredibly enthusiastic, and he ended up writing an excellent campaign strategy paper for his final,” said Schnur, a former strategist for GOP candidates.
From Los Angeles Times • May 21, 2026
CEOs of quantum-related companies, on the other hand, are invariably enthusiastic.
From Barron's • May 21, 2026
Even Trump, an enthusiastic supporter of both the World Cup and Fifa president Gianni Infantino, has said he "wouldn't pay it either" when asked about the prices.
From BBC • May 15, 2026
The boys suspected their parents would not be enthusiastic about their paleontology purchases.
From "Millionaires for the Month" by Stacey McAnulty
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.
