absorbing or controlling possession of the mind by any interest or pursuit; lively interest: He shows marked enthusiasm for his studies.
an occupation, activity, or pursuit in which such interest is shown: Hunting is his latest enthusiasm.
any of various forms of extreme religious devotion, usually associated with intense emotionalism and a break with orthodoxy.
Origin of enthusiasm
1570–80; <Late Latin enthūsiasmus <Greek enthousiasmós, equivalent to enthousí(a) possession by a god (énthous, variant of éntheos having a god within, equivalent to en- en-2 + -thous, -theos god-possessing + -ia -y3) + -asmos, variant, after vowel stems, of -ismos -ism
Now Tinder will find out if audiences in the rest of the world, where its competes with a large roster of other dating apps, will respond to “Swipe Night” with the same level of enthusiasm.
Tinder’s interactive video event ‘Swipe Night’ will launch in international markets this month|Catherine Shu|September 4, 2020|TechCrunch
Hadiqa Bashir, on an attempted marriage when she was 11When we chat, Bashir’s voice is filled with a nonchalant and childish enthusiasm, and yet there is something omniscient about the way she speaks.
The Teenager Breaking Up Child Marriages, Door to Door|Pallabi Munsi|September 2, 2020|Ozy
Despite pleas to stay away, the president said his visit to Kenosha would “increase enthusiasm” in Wisconsin—a key battleground state ahead of November’s presidential election.
Sprokkreeff offered a company-wide mental health day at Webprofits this year, to much enthusiasm.
How managers can recognize burnout remotely|Kristine Gill|August 28, 2020|Fortune
The upcoming four-for-one stock split, a move that has no effect on share price but often spurs investor enthusiasm, is one measure of Apple’s success under Cook.
Apple CEO Tim Cook is fulfilling another Steve Jobs vision|Rachel Schallom|August 24, 2020|Fortune
Having finally seen Selma on November 17, I must report, sadly, that I do not share the enthusiasm the film has generated so far.
Dr. King Goes to Hollywood: The Flawed History of ‘Selma’|Gary May|January 2, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Yet for all his enthusiasm for the American film industry, he remained forever an expatriate.
Alfred Hitchcock’s Fade to Black: The Great Director’s Final Days|David Freeman|December 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST
I so loved the fierce bodily contact of football that I suppose my enthusiasm made up somewhat for my lack of size.
How His West Point Football Experience Inspired Eisenhower|Nicolaus Mills|November 11, 2014|DAILY BEAST
But the enthusiasm has not dropped off among conservatives.
With Ernst and Gardner, Republicans Think They’ve Found the Formula|Eleanor Clift|November 4, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Page, who is with the girls when we speak, says she can “see their enthusiasm, their energy.”
Meet the Liberian Girls Beating Ebola|Abby Haglage|October 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
A handsome man is very dry fuel near a young lady's warm heart—her enthusiasm soon glows into a blaze.
Miles Tremenhere, Vol 1 of 2|Annette Marie Maillard
The responsive face lighted and weariness gave place to the glow of enthusiasm.
Destiny|Charles Neville Buck
A thousand persons met the delegates in that town; formed their own council, and embraced the league with enthusiasm.
The History of Tasmania, Volume I (of 2)|John West
American men realize the tremendous value of enthusiasm and they seek to exploit it.
Over Here|Hector MacQuarrie
The enthusiasm excited in the capital surpassed any thing which had ever before been witnessed.
Louis XIV., Makers of History Series|John S. C. Abbott
British Dictionary definitions for enthusiasm
enthusiasm
/ (ɪnˈθjuːzɪˌæzəm) /
noun
ardent and lively interest or eagerness
an object of keen interest; passion
archaicextravagant or unbalanced religious fervour
obsoletepossession or inspiration by a god
Word Origin for enthusiasm
C17: from Late Latin enthūsiasmus, from Greek enthousiasmos, from enthousiazein to be possessed by a god, from entheos inspired, from en- ² + theos god
Did You Know How This Word Was Formed?Words are funny things. Here are some that might not mean what you thought ... at least when they were originally formed.