enthusiast

noun

en·​thu·​si·​ast in-ˈthü-zē-ˌast How to pronounce enthusiast (audio)
-əst,
en-,
 also  -ˈthyü-
: 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

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.
Railway enthusiasts and amateur historians alike may also want to leisurely explore the town of Cass. Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 27 Sep. 2025 Beyond the capital, go for a swim in the Blue Lagoon on Comino, explore ancient temples like the megalithic Ħaġar Qim, which predates Stonehenge, or dive into shipwrecks and limestone caves favored by scuba enthusiasts. Chloe Arrojado, AFAR Media, 26 Sep. 2025 Chocolate milk enthusiasts, get ready. Katie Wiseman, IndyStar, 26 Sep. 2025 Aloe vera juice and apple cider vinegar might sound like an unlikely pairing, but some wellness enthusiasts swear by the combination to boost gut health, steady blood sugar, and even support weight loss. Kathleen Ferraro, Verywell Health, 25 Sep. 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Enthusiast.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/enthusiast. Accessed 29 Sep. 2025.

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

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