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

Along with her live and on-demand workouts, Austin offers a comprehensive healthy eating regimen and repertoire as a food enthusiast, providing free, fun, easy recipes on her blog that span every type of food and cuisine, from tacos and tofu to cocktails and desserts. —Andy Frye, Forbes.com, 13 May 2025

Jones also recorded a video doubling-down on his allegation while again accusing Zelenskyy of being a cocaine enthusiast who possibly favors Methamphetamine too. —Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 13 May 2025

And it’s all based on these two wildflower enthusiasts’ adventures and travels. —Mary Ann Grossmann, Twin Cities, 11 May 2025

This would make a fabulous gift for a hostess or your favorite charcuterie enthusiast. —Louryn Strampe, Wired News, 9 May 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