enthusiasm

[ en-thoo-zee-az-uhm ]
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noun
  1. absorbing or controlling possession of the mind by any interest or pursuit; lively interest: He shows marked enthusiasm for his studies.

  2. an occupation, activity, or pursuit in which such interest is shown: Hunting is his latest enthusiasm.

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

Origin of enthusiasm

1
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 -y3) + -asmos, variant (after vowel stems) of -ismos -ism;cf. theism

Other words for enthusiasm

Opposites for enthusiasm

Other words from enthusiasm

  • 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

Words Nearby enthusiasm

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use enthusiasm in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for enthusiasm

enthusiasm

/ (ɪnˈθjuːzɪˌæzəm) /


noun
  1. ardent and lively interest or eagerness

  2. an object of keen interest; passion

  1. archaic extravagant or unbalanced religious fervour

  2. obsolete possession or inspiration by a god

Origin of enthusiasm

1
C17: from Late Latin enthūsiasmus, from Greek enthousiasmos, from enthousiazein to be possessed by a god, from entheos inspired, from en- ² + theos god

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012