enthusiast

noun

en·​thu·​si·​ast in-ˈthü-zē-ˌast 

-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

Synonyms

• addict
• aficionado
• afficionado
• buff
• bug
• devotee
• fan
• fanatic
• fancier
• fiend
• fool
• freak
• habitué
• habitue
• head
• hound
• junkie
• junky
• lover
• maniac
• maven
• mavin
• nut
• sucker

Examples of enthusiast in a Sentence

skiing enthusiasts can't wait for the first snowfall of the season

Recent Examples on the Web

Canal enthusiasts, historians, engineers, environmentalists, artists and lesiure travelers, according to the state officials, are expected to attend. —Gary Stoller, Forbes.com, 1 May 2025

Since its debut in 1963, the Porsche 911 has universally enthralled motoring enthusiasts with its approachability, athleticism, and aesthetics—a combination that’s arguably without equal among sports cars. —Viju Mathew, Robb Report, 28 Apr. 2025

The prospect of a Lucha Bros reunion within WWE's tag team division has been a topic of considerable interest among wrestling enthusiasts. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Apr. 2025

Serendipitously, that car was owned by Disney master animator Ward Kimball, whom Gurr had met via a car enthusiast society, the Horseless Carriage Club. —Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 25 Apr. 2025

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

Rhymes for enthusiast

• iconoclast
• osteoblast
• osteoclast
• aghast
• amassed
• biassed
• broadcast
• bypassed
• downcast
• forecast
• foremast
• harassed

Kids Definition

enthusiast

noun

en·​thu·​si·​ast in-ˈth(y)ü-zē-ˌast 

-əst

: a person filled with enthusiasm