avid

adjective

ˈa-vəd How to pronounce avid (audio)
Definition of avidnext
1
as in eager
having or marked by an eager and often selfish desire especially for material possessions stared at the array of jewels with an avid glint in his eye

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in enthusiastic
showing urgent desire or interest an avid baseball card collector

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word avid distinct from other similar adjectives?

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.

avid for new thrills

When might anxious be a better fit than avid?

Although the words anxious and avid have much in common, anxious emphasizes fear of frustration or failure or disappointment.

anxious not to make a social blunder

Where would athirst be a reasonable alternative to avid?

The meanings of athirst and avid largely overlap; however, athirst stresses yearning but not necessarily readiness for action.

athirst for adventure

When could eager be used to replace avid?

While in some cases nearly identical to avid, eager implies ardor and enthusiasm and sometimes impatience at delay or restraint.

eager to get started

When is it sensible to use keen instead of avid?

The synonyms keen and avid are sometimes interchangeable, but keen suggests intensity of interest and quick responsiveness in action.

keen on the latest fashions

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of avid For 42-year-old single woman and avid adventurer Esther Estepa, a seemingly chance encounter with a social media influencer during a trip to Spain cost her her life—and only her family could solve the case. —Samantha Bergeson, Time, 6 Mar. 2026 Amor was an avid gardener who enjoyed making salsa from the peppers and tomatoes in her garden with her son, a senior in high school. —Hannah Fingerhut, Los Angeles Times, 4 Mar. 2026 Amor was an avid gardener who enjoyed making salsa from the peppers and tomatoes in her garden with her son, a senior in high school. —Dallas Morning News, 3 Mar. 2026 Best for those who prefer their couch to be a place to converse and hang out rather than nap, this piece is perfect for avid entertainers and those who work from home. —Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 3 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for avid
Recent Examples of Synonyms for avid
  1. eager
  2. enthusiastic
  3. greedy
  4. excited
  5. mercenary
  6. ardent
  7. avaricious
  8. keen
Adjective
  • Republicans are eager to put Democrats on record opposing the bill’s hallmark components, including proof of citizenship when registering to vote and a national standard for photo IDs at the ballot box.
    — Ramsey Touchberry, The Washington Examiner, 18 Mar. 2026
  • In a wide-ranging interview with Politico in Brussels, published on Tuesday, the Netflix Co-CEO was keen to discuss new efforts by the EU to regulate the media industry, but appeared eager to put the story of Netflix’s unsuccessful WBD bid to bed.
    — Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 17 Mar. 2026
Definition of eager
Adjective
  • Just around the corner, the hotel’s compact fitness centre lures even the least fitness-enthusiastic guests, thanks to knockout treadmill views extending to the bay.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Mar. 2026
  • Nicky loved to share his enthusiastic talent with his family, friends and fans.
    — Jill Lances, ABC News, 20 Mar. 2026
Definition of enthusiastic
Adjective
  • And right now, these corrupt billionaires, these greedy corporations, are determining all avenues of our life, all types of policies.
    — Jim DeFede, CBS News, 15 Mar. 2026
  • Fears of robbery, greedy family and friends, scammers, mismanagement and unwanted attention are among the concerns that keep some big winners hesitant to go public.
    — Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 9 Mar. 2026
Definition of greedy
Adjective
  • Nicole Hensley came to Ball Arena a year ago, proud and excited to be part of the first PWHL game in her hometown.
    — Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 16 Mar. 2026
  • So excited to have properly chilled wine.
    — Anna Moeslein, Glamour, 16 Mar. 2026
Definition of excited
Adjective
  • In many other places, the fighters have moved into other mercenary formations.
    — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 18 Mar. 2026
  • At the height of its power, the Russian mercenary outfit known as the Wagner Group numbered tens of thousands of soldiers who were dispatched to Ukraine, Syria, and several African countries.
    — Matthew Carey, Deadline, 10 Mar. 2026
Definition of mercenary
Adjective
  • The connection between the antisemitic rhetoric and antisemitic violence is becoming hard to deny, even for the most ardent apologists.
    — Nolan Finley, Boston Herald, 16 Mar. 2026
  • Remedios gave an ardent performance during episode 2 of season 29 of The Voice this month.
    — Dallas Morning News, Dallas Morning News, 16 Mar. 2026
Definition of ardent
Adjective
  • Henwick’s Ruth, opposite Margaret Qualley’s avaricious Julia, represent a fork in the road for Becket.
    — Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 20 Feb. 2026
  • Harlan has an avaricious family, each member of which has something to gain from his death.
    — Anna Russell, New Yorker, 10 Nov. 2025
Definition of avaricious
Adjective
  • Activities and dining options are taken into consideration by concierge staff keen to point visitors in the direction of the best spots for yakitori or souvenir hunting nearby.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Mar. 2026
  • Brinson and Gomez have a keen sense of narrative and comic timing and a playful rapport.
    — Alex Morris, Rolling Stone, 19 Mar. 2026
Definition of keen

Browse Nearby Words

aviator sunglasses
avid
avidity
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Avid.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/avid. Accessed 22 Mar. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on avid

Nglish: Translation of avid for Spanish 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!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of apotheosis

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

5 Verbal Slip Ups and Language Mistakes

What does 'etcetera' mean?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Opposite of Déjà Vu

The Words of the Week - Mar. 20

Why do we say 'fly off the handle'?

Why do we say 'get out of Dodge'?

Why do we call it a 'flea market'?
See More

Popular

See More

5 Verbal Slip Ups and Language Mistakes

The Opposite of Déjà Vu

The Words of the Week - Mar. 20
See More

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 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?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
back-of-head-mortarboard
Quiz: Name That Hat! Time to put on your thinking cap.
See All