verb (used without object) 1.to be or become enthusiastic; show
enthusiasm:
All the neighbors enthused over the new baby.
verb (used with object) 2.to cause to become enthusiastic.
Origin: 1820–30, Americanism; back formation from
enthusiasm Related forms qua·si-en·thused, adjective
un·en·thused, adjective
Usage noteThe verb
enthuse is a 19th-century back formation from the noun
enthusiasm. Originally an Americanism,
enthuse is now standard and well established in the speech and all but the most formal writing of educated persons, in both Britain and the United States. It is used as a transitive verb meaning “to cause to become enthusiastic” (
The liveliness of the dance enthused the audience) and as an intransitive verb meaning “to show enthusiasm” (
She enthused warmly over his performance).
Despite its long history and frequent occurrence, however, enthuse is still strongly disapproved of by many.
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Enthuse
is one of our favorite verbs.
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