avid

adjective

av·id | \ ˈa-vəd

Definition of avid

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

Other Words from avid Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym The Finer Points of Avid More Example Sentences Learn More about avid

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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

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).

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

An avid hunter, Mr. Dell’Aquila, 58, was interviewed at his house in Nashville, sitting in front of a large stuffed black bear. — Danny Hakim, New York Times, "N.R.A. Donor Directs a Revolt Against a ‘Radioactive’ Leader," 2 July 2019 Several guns were found inside the home, and he is described as an avid hunter, police said. — Jennifer Edwards Baker And Lauren Minor, Cincinnati.com, "Man arrested after 20 rounds fired, SWAT standoff in NKY," 1 July 2019 In addition to being an avid reader, Camilla is patron of a number of literacy charities including the National Literacy Trust, BookTrust, Beanstalk, and First Story. — Victoria Murphy, Town & Country, "Camilla Shares Her Passion for Literacy with School Children at Windsor Castle," 14 June 2019 The Warriors point guard, who is an avid golfer in his spare time, is serving as executive producer of the new 10-episode mini-golf competition series Holey Moley. — Lauren Huff, EW.com, "Stephen Curry teases he'll 'pop up everywhere' in mini-golf competition show Holey Moley," 19 June 2019 Among the tidbits is that Mary, Queen of Scots, was an avid golfer, and the game may have had a role in her execution. — San Diego Union-Tribune, "Column: Caddie film ‘Loopers’ sheds new light on a golfer’s most important teammate," 6 June 2019 But for both avid and casual soccer fans, there are plenty of other bars and restaurants across Portland that will be hotspots to watch the games. — Jamie Goldberg, oregonlive.com, "Where to watch the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Portland: Bars, pubs, food specials, more," 5 June 2019 With help from her husband, a friend who is an avid and skilled genealogist, and her own sleuthing skills, Ms. Shapiro tracked down her biological father. — Amy Dockser Marcus, WSJ, "The Family Secret Uncovered by a Writer’s DNA Test," 4 Jan. 2019 Johnson, 31, is a writer, researcher and avid connoisseur of Los Angeles history. — Benjamin Oreskes, www.latimes.com, "Many people work hard to avoid the homeless. These volunteers embrace them," 7 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'avid.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.