enthusiast

noun

en·​thu·​si·​ast in-ˈthü-zē-ˌast How to pronounce enthusiast (audio)
-əst,
en-,
 also  -ˈthyü-
Synonyms of enthusiastnext
: a person filled with enthusiasm: such as
a
: one who is ardently attached to a cause, object, or pursuit
a sports car enthusiast
b
: one who tends to become ardently absorbed in an interest

Synonyms

See all Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus 

Examples of enthusiast in a Sentence

skiing enthusiasts can't wait for the first snowfall of the season
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Luxury tour operator Red Savannah is rolling out a Parisian getaway specifically designed for style enthusiasts. —Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 5 Feb. 2025 For white-chocolate lovers The touch of sweetness in the drinkable, affordable bottle of Riesling is the perfect partner for white chocolate enthusiasts. —Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 5 Feb. 2025 The Row Sofia leather shoulder bag $3,750 NET-A-PORTER For the ultimate quiet-luxury enthusiast, The Row’s Sofia bag is the smaller, elegant counterpart to its viral Margaux bag. —Christina Holevas, Vogue, 5 Feb. 2025 The area is popular with off-road enthusiasts and campers. —Greg Wehner, Fox News, 4 Feb. 2025 See all Example Sentences for enthusiast 

Word History

Etymology

earlier, "person claiming to receive divine communication or inspiration, member of a putative early Christian sect making such claims," borrowed from Late Greek enthousiastḗs, going back to Greek, "person possessed by a god," from enthousiad-, stem of enthousiázein "to be inspired or possessed by a god" + -tēs, agent suffix — more at enthusiasm

First Known Use

1748, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of enthusiast was in 1748

Dictionary Entries Near enthusiast

enthusiasm

enthusiast

enthusiastic

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Enthusiast.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/enthusiast. Accessed 9 Feb. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

Kids Definition

enthusiast

noun
en·​thu·​si·​ast in-ˈth(y)ü-zē-ˌast How to pronounce enthusiast (audio)
-əst
: a person filled with enthusiasm

More from Merriam-Webster on enthusiast

Nglish: Translation of enthusiast for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of enthusiast for Arabic Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See All

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

More Commonly Misspelled Words

Words You Always Have to Look Up

Your vs. You're: How to Use Them Correctly
See All

Popular in Wordplay

See All

More Words with Remarkable Origins

8 Words with Fascinating Histories

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments

Birds Say the Darndest Things

10 Words from Taylor Swift Songs (Merriam's Version)
See All

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Word Game Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
a cassowary positioning its body to the left standing on a patch of grass before two trees and the ocean in the background
Name That Animal MegaQuiz A creature feature for fans of fauna