avid
adjective
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The Finer Points of Avid
The original and now relatively unfamiliar sense of avid, “desirous to the point of greed,” developed logically from its root in Latin, avēre (meaning “to long for”). It appears in such phrases as “avid of fame” and “avid for details,” expressions we are more likely to encounter in formal writing than in speech. More common today is the word’s somewhat weakened and ameliorated (that is, “made better,” or given a more positive connotation) meaning “extremely enthusiastic.” This is the sense regularly used of people who have embraced some hobby or pursuit (such as avid readers, gardeners, or knitters).
Synonyms
- acquisitive
- avaricious
- coveting
- covetous
- grabby
- grasping
- greedy
- mercenary
- moneygrubbing
- rapacious
Example Sentences
Elizabeth Berry, Woman's Day, 26 July 2022 In his spare time, Roat was a whiskey connoisseur and an avid supporter of the Los Angeles Lakers and Los Angeles Angels. Emlyn Travis, EW.com, 31 Aug. 2022 The pro-Trump author took to Twitter on Monday (Aug. 29) to suggest that Kid Rock — who is also an avid supporter of Donald Trump — should release a new album on the same day as Midnights. Rania Aniftos, Billboard, 30 Aug. 2022 Jones, an avid supporter of former president Donald Trump, is also under scrutiny for his role in organizing events surrounding the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol insurrection. Elizabeth Williamson, BostonGlobe.com, 26 Aug. 2022 Serena is also an avid supporter of the Black Lives Matter movement. Curtis Bunn, NBC News, 10 Aug. 2022 There’s a one-in-three chance that Britain’s next prime minister will be an avid supporter of bitcoin and cryptocurrency, following news that former finance minister Rishi Sunak has secured his spot in the final showdown to replace Boris Johnson. Martin Leo Rivers, Forbes, 24 July 2022 With her one-year-old baby Etienne, an album on the way, and an avid supporter like Perry backing her up, Cyn is prepping for a second half of 2022 filled with positivity and change. Tomás Mier, Rolling Stone, 15 July 2022 Hurston has been an avid supporter of the arts for 30 years. San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 July 2022 See More Word History
French or Latin; French avide, from Latin avidus, from avēre to desire, crave; akin to Welsh ewyllys desire, Old Irish con-oí he protects
1769, in the meaning defined at sense 2
Kids Definition
avid
adjective
avid
adjective
Synonyms & Similar Words
- eager
- greedy
- desirous
- avaricious
- mercenary
- acquisitive
- grasping
- covetous
- coveting
- rapacious
- moneygrubbing
- voracious
- insatiable
- grabby
- ravenous
- materialistic
- discontented
- discontent
- miserly
- unquenchable
- gluttonous
- unsatisfied
- devouring
- piggish
- piggy
- egocentric
- hoggish
- philistine
- malcontent
- commercialistic
- itchy
- egotistical
- grudging
- lickerish
- gobbling
- egoistical
- egotistic
- begrudging
- egoistic
- resentful
- swinish
- self-centered
- self-seeking
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- liberal
- generous
- altruistic
- charitable
- unselfish
- magnanimous
- selfless
- munificent
- handsome
- moderate
- bountiful
- bounteous
- nonmaterialistic
- satisfied
- controlled
- unsparing
- restrained
- temperate
- sated
- openhearted
- content
- openhanded
- greathearted
- freehanded
Synonyms & Similar Words
- excited
- enthusiastic
- ardent
- eager
- keen
- anxious
- voracious
- hungry
- impatient
- interested
- enthused
- desirous
- pumped
- nuts
- thirsty
- greedy
- happy
- solicitous
- agog
- antsy
- great
- stoked
- athirst
- ready
- geeked
- raring
- willing
- juiced
- crazy
- engaged
- obsessed
- wild
- gung ho
- hot
- hepped up
- hopped-up
- champing at the bit
- chomping at the bit
- longing
- ambitious
- craving
- covetous
- pining
- hankering
- restless
- glad
- hung up
- breathless
- game
- restive
- inclined
- amenable
- appetent
- disposed
- unreluctant
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- indifferent
- casual
- apathetic
- uninterested
- unenthusiastic
- disinterested
- unconcerned
- nonchalant
- aloof
- incurious
- detached
- reluctant
- insouciant
- unwilling
- stolid
- impassive
- hesitant
- lukewarm
- averse
- languid
- uneager
- loath
- halfhearted
- lackadaisical
- spiritless
- loth
- loathe
- disinclined
- languorous
Synonym Chooser
Some common synonyms of avid are anxious, athirst, eager, and keen. While all these words mean "moved by a strong and urgent desire or interest," avid adds to eager the implication of insatiability or greed.
Although the words anxious and avid have much in common, anxious emphasizes fear of frustration or failure or disappointment.
The meanings of athirst and avid largely overlap; however, athirst stresses yearning but not necessarily readiness for action.
While in some cases nearly identical to avid, eager implies ardor and enthusiasm and sometimes impatience at delay or restraint.
The synonyms keen and avid are sometimes interchangeable, but keen suggests intensity of interest and quick responsiveness in action.