enthusiasm

[ en-thoo-zee-az-uhm ]

noun

1. absorbing or controlling possession of the mind by any interest or pursuit; lively interest:

   He shows marked enthusiasm for his studies.

   Synonyms: eagerness, devotion, passion, ardor, zeal, fervor, warmth

   Antonyms: indifference

2. an occupation, activity, or pursuit in which such interest is shown:

   Hunting is his latest enthusiasm.

3. any of various forms of extreme religious devotion, usually associated with intense emotionalism and a break with orthodoxy.

enthusiasm

/ ɪnˈθjuːzɪˌæzəm /

noun

1. ardent and lively interest or eagerness
2. an object of keen interest; passion
3. archaic.
   extravagant or unbalanced religious fervour
4. obsolete.
   possession or inspiration by a god

Other Words From

• anti·en·thusi·asm noun
• hyper·en·thusi·asm noun
• over·en·thusi·asm noun
• preen·thusi·asm noun
• unen·thusi·asm noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of enthusiasm¹

First recorded in 1570–80; from Late Latin enthūsiasmus, from Greek enthousiasmós, from enthousí(a) “possession by a god” ( énthous, variant of éntheos “having a god within,” from en- en- ² + -thous, -theos “possessed by a god” + -ia -y ³( def ) ) + -asmos, variant (after vowel stems) of -ismos -ism; theism ( def )

Word History and Origins

Origin of enthusiasm¹

C17: from Late Latin enthūsiasmus, from Greek enthousiasmos, from enthousiazein to be possessed by a god, from entheos inspired, from en- ² + theos god

Example Sentences

Smith, who still carries himself with the eager enthusiasm of a worship leader, no longer goes to church.

From Los Angeles Times

Higher tariffs, which Trump can enact without approval from Congress, would mean manufacturers will either pass prices onto consumers or lower their profit margins, which affects investor enthusiasm.

From Salon

Slater called the growing enthusiasm around the team “pretty special.”

From Los Angeles Times

This enthusiasm has also been accompanied by a surprising political shift.

From Los Angeles Times

Neither Rubio nor Mike Waltz, who was nominated to be Trump's national security advisor, sparked giddy enthusiasm, but as one European diplomat put it to Politico: "They are a bit less awful than others."

From Salon

Related Words

• ardor
• devotion
• eagerness
• emotion
• energy
• feeling
• fervor
• frenzy
• fury
• intensity
• interest
• joy
• passion
• spirit
• warmth
• zeal