avid

adjective

av·​id ˈa-vəd 

1

: characterized by enthusiasm and vigorous pursuit : very eager and enthusiastic

avid readers/fans

an avid golfer

2

: desirous to the point of greed : urgently eager : greedy

avid for publicity/success

avidly adverb

avidness noun

Did you know?

The Finer Points of Avid

The original and now relatively unfamiliar sense of avid, “desirous to the point of greed,” developed logically from its root in Latin, avēre (meaning “to long for”). It appears in such phrases as “avid of fame” and “avid for details,” expressions we are more likely to encounter in formal writing than in speech. More common today is the word’s somewhat weakened and ameliorated (that is, “made better,” or given a more positive connotation) meaning “extremely enthusiastic.” This is the sense regularly used of people who have embraced some hobby or pursuit (such as avid readers, gardeners, or knitters).

Synonyms

• acquisitive
• avaricious
• coveting
• covetous
• grabby
• grasping
• greedy
• mercenary
• moneygrubbing
• rapacious

Choose the Right Synonym for avid

eager, avid, keen, anxious, athirst mean moved by a strong and urgent desire or interest.

eager implies ardor and enthusiasm and sometimes impatience at delay or restraint.

eager to get started

avid adds to eager the implication of insatiability or greed.

avid for new thrills

keen suggests intensity of interest and quick responsiveness in action.

keen on the latest fashions

anxious emphasizes fear of frustration or failure or disappointment.

anxious not to make a social blunder

athirst stresses yearning but not necessarily readiness for action.

athirst for adventure

Examples of avid in a Sentence

He is an avid admirer of horror movies.

They took an avid interest in politics.

some of the newspaper's most avid readers

Recent Examples on the Web

After an avid cyclist was killed in a hit-and-run during his morning commute last year, police in New Mexico were at a loss for who could have committed the crime. —Jeanine Santucci, USA TODAY, 21 Mar. 2025

Residents who live near a fishing location, spend a lot of time near the water or are avid boaters are encouraged to get involved. —Joe Rassel, Orlando Sentinel, 19 Mar. 2025

As an avid past user of the brand’s ball, Foley now finds himself in a full-circle moment as Maxfli’s latest brand ambassador, joining Lexi Thompson (LPGA) and Ben Griffin (PGA Tour). —Michael Loré, Forbes, 19 Mar. 2025

Bryant was an avid supporter of institutions, funding the Tate museum network during the ’90s and sitting on the boards of the St. Louis Art Museum and the Museum of Modern Art in New York. —Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 17 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

French or Latin; French avide, from Latin avidus, from avēre to desire, crave; akin to Welsh ewyllys desire, Old Irish con-oí he protects

First Known Use

1769, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for avid

• gravid

Kids Definition

avid

adjective

av·​id ˈav-əd 

1

: having so much desire for something as to be greedy

avid for attention

2

: very eager : enthusiastic

an avid football fan

avidity

ə-ˈvid-ət-ē

a-

noun

avidly

ˈav-əd-lē

adverb

avidness noun