enthusiasm

noun

en·thu·si·asm in-ˈthü-zē-ˌa-zəm How to pronounce enthusiasm (audio)

en-,

also -ˈthyü-

: strong excitement of feeling : ardor

did her work with energy and enthusiasm

: something inspiring zeal or fervor

his enthusiasms include sailing and fishing

: belief in special revelations of the Holy Spirit

: religious fanaticism

Did you know?

What is the history of enthusiasm?

It may come as a surprise to many people, when they first look up the word enthusiasm, to see that its original meaning has to do with passion for religion, rather than passionate or eager interest in general. A brief explanation of the word’s etymology should clear this up.Enthusiasm entered the English language around the beginning of the 17th century. It was borrowed from the Greek enthousiasmos, meaning “inspiration or possession by a god.” For the first two hundred or so years that it was used in English, enthusiasm was primarily employed to refer to beliefs or passions that related to religion. By the beginning of the 18th century, however, the word began to be used to describe having strong feelings or interest in secular matters.

Example Sentences

Hour by hour, minute by minute, Guerrero is a racehorse, sitting upright in a chair, revising copy, clarifying names and places, sprinkling the reports with jokes while a producer talks in her ear—then delivering with breakneck speed and unflagging enthusiasm.

Joel Drucker, Cigar Aficionado, May/June 2003 The Gower has a bewitching effect on my children. Perhaps it is because of having been cooped up in the car for four hours, but once we are negotiating the windy road along this southern Welsh peninsula, they are all gushing with enthusiasm.

Emma Haughton, Times (London), 12 Aug. 2000 Now that he was awake, he couldn't understand how he could have slept through the racket the birds were making. "Oliver," Harry croaked. "It's the crack of dawn." "Exactly," said Wood. He was a tall and burly sixth year and, at the moment, his eyes were gleaming with a crazed enthusiasm. "It's part of our new training program. Come on, grab your broom, and let's go," said Wood heartily. These days, even the wiliest brand-builders are at least a little anxious about the emerging teenage market, with its stylistic balkanization, shifting folkways and unpredictably spiking enthusiasms.

Hal Espen, New York Times Magazine, 21 Mar. 1999 Now that he was awake, he couldn't understand how he could have slept through the racket the birds were making. "Oliver," Harry croaked. "It's the crack of dawn." "Exactly," said Wood. He was a tall and burly sixth year and, at the moment, his eyes were gleaming with a crazed enthusiasm. "It's part of our new training program. Come on, grab your broom, and let's go," said Wood heartily.

J. K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, 1999 The party supported its candidate with enthusiasm. He seems to lack enthusiasm for the work he's doing. Among his latest enthusiasms are sailing and fishing. See More

Recent Examples on the Web His enthusiasm and childlike curiosity are infectious.

Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 8 Sep. 2022 De Winter described the program to van Ruitenbeek without betraying her enthusiasm.

Renee Dudley, ProPublica, 7 Sep. 2022 An enthusiasm gap between Democratic and Republican voters has narrowed since the Supreme Court’s ruling, polling shows, while women voters who drifted away from Democratic Party after the 2020 election are shifting back.

Hannah Knowles And Caroline Kitchener, Anchorage Daily News, 6 Sep. 2022 Fans are showing support through their enthusiasm and their clothing.

Paris Wolfe, cleveland, 2 Sep. 2022 But no one should interpret her choice of fashion as a sign of her enthusiasm for the 46th president.

Paul Schwartzman, Washington Post, 30 Aug. 2022 Most of us can achieve this in the short run -- think about your enthusiasm when starting a new diet or workout regimen.

CNN, 29 Aug. 2022 Her enthusiasm for new experiences ultimately led Hawkins to start running—at the age of 100.

Stephanie Hoppe, Outside Online, 26 Aug. 2022 For one thing, Democrats have closed the enthusiasm gap.

Mark Murray, NBC News, 21 Aug. 2022 See More

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Late Latin & Greek; Late Latin enthūsiasmos "inspiration, frenzy," borrowed from Greek enthousiasmós, from enthousiázein "to be inspired or possessed by a god" (re-formation of entheázein —perhaps by crossing with thysiázein "to sacrifice"— verbal derivative of éntheos, énthous "possessed by a god, inspired," from en- en- entry 2 + -theos, adjectival derivative of theós "god") + -asmos, variant after -i- of -ismos -ism

First Known Use

1595, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

单词	enthusiasms
释义	enthusiasm noun en·thu·si·asm in-ˈthü-zē-ˌa-zəm en-, also -ˈthyü- 1 a : strong excitement of feeling : ardor did her work with energy and enthusiasm b : something inspiring zeal or fervor his enthusiasms include sailing and fishing 2 a : belief in special revelations of the Holy Spirit b : religious fanaticism Did you know? What is the history of enthusiasm? It may come as a surprise to many people, when they first look up the word enthusiasm, to see that its original meaning has to do with passion for religion, rather than passionate or eager interest in general. A brief explanation of the word’s etymology should clear this up.Enthusiasm entered the English language around the beginning of the 17th century. It was borrowed from the Greek enthousiasmos, meaning “inspiration or possession by a god.” For the first two hundred or so years that it was used in English, enthusiasm was primarily employed to refer to beliefs or passions that related to religion. By the beginning of the 18th century, however, the word began to be used to describe having strong feelings or interest in secular matters. Synonyms buzz chic craze dernier cri fad fashion flavor go hot ticket last word latest mode rage sensation style ton trend vogue See all Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences Hour by hour, minute by minute, Guerrero is a racehorse, sitting upright in a chair, revising copy, clarifying names and places, sprinkling the reports with jokes while a producer talks in her ear—then delivering with breakneck speed and unflagging enthusiasm. Joel Drucker, Cigar Aficionado, May/June 2003 The Gower has a bewitching effect on my children. Perhaps it is because of having been cooped up in the car for four hours, but once we are negotiating the windy road along this southern Welsh peninsula, they are all gushing with enthusiasm. Emma Haughton, Times (London), 12 Aug. 2000 Now that he was awake, he couldn't understand how he could have slept through the racket the birds were making. "Oliver," Harry croaked. "It's the crack of dawn." "Exactly," said Wood. He was a tall and burly sixth year and, at the moment, his eyes were gleaming with a crazed enthusiasm. "It's part of our new training program. Come on, grab your broom, and let's go," said Wood heartily. These days, even the wiliest brand-builders are at least a little anxious about the emerging teenage market, with its stylistic balkanization, shifting folkways and unpredictably spiking enthusiasms. Hal Espen, New York Times Magazine, 21 Mar. 1999 Now that he was awake, he couldn't understand how he could have slept through the racket the birds were making. "Oliver," Harry croaked. "It's the crack of dawn." "Exactly," said Wood. He was a tall and burly sixth year and, at the moment, his eyes were gleaming with a crazed enthusiasm. "It's part of our new training program. Come on, grab your broom, and let's go," said Wood heartily. J. K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, 1999 The party supported its candidate with enthusiasm. He seems to lack enthusiasm for the work he's doing. Among his latest enthusiasms are sailing and fishing. See More Recent Examples on the Web His enthusiasm and childlike curiosity are infectious. Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 8 Sep. 2022 De Winter described the program to van Ruitenbeek without betraying her enthusiasm. Renee Dudley, ProPublica, 7 Sep. 2022 An enthusiasm gap between Democratic and Republican voters has narrowed since the Supreme Court’s ruling, polling shows, while women voters who drifted away from Democratic Party after the 2020 election are shifting back. Hannah Knowles And Caroline Kitchener, Anchorage Daily News, 6 Sep. 2022 Fans are showing support through their enthusiasm and their clothing. Paris Wolfe, cleveland, 2 Sep. 2022 But no one should interpret her choice of fashion as a sign of her enthusiasm for the 46th president. Paul Schwartzman, Washington Post, 30 Aug. 2022 Most of us can achieve this in the short run -- think about your enthusiasm when starting a new diet or workout regimen. CNN, 29 Aug. 2022 Her enthusiasm for new experiences ultimately led Hawkins to start running—at the age of 100. Stephanie Hoppe, Outside Online, 26 Aug. 2022 For one thing, Democrats have closed the enthusiasm gap. Mark Murray, NBC News, 21 Aug. 2022 See More Word History Etymology borrowed from Late Latin & Greek; Late Latin enthūsiasmos "inspiration, frenzy," borrowed from Greek enthousiasmós, from enthousiázein "to be inspired or possessed by a god" (re-formation of entheázein —perhaps by crossing with thysiázein "to sacrifice"— verbal derivative of éntheos, énthous "possessed by a god, inspired," from en- en- entry 2 + -theos, adjectival derivative of theós "god") + -asmos, variant after -i- of -ismos -ism First Known Use 1595, in the meaning defined at sense 2a Kids Definition enthusiasm noun en·thu·si·asm in-ˈthü-zē-ˌaz-əm -ˈthyü- : strong feeling in favor of something There were wild shouts of enthusiasm at this suggestion. E. B. White, Stuart Little enthusiasms noun plural of enthusiasm as in crazes a practice or interest that is very popular for a short time this year's enthusiasm is often next year's laughingstock Synonyms & Similar Words Relevance crazes trends rages vogues styles fads fashions passions modes sensations flavors tons buzzes last words fervors infatuations chics hot tickets novelties crusades dernier cris movements cults caprices whims new waves fusses crushes fancies nine day wonders bandwagons furors uproars nine days' wonders wrinkles to-dos hullabaloos Antonyms & Near Antonyms standards classics
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enthusiasm

noun

Did you know?

Synonyms

Example Sentences

Word History

Kids Definition

noun

noun