avid

play

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

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avidly

adverb

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avidness

noun

See avid defined for English-language learners

See avid defined for kids

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 of avid from the Web

Twitter @tracyswartz RELATED: Ex-Northwestern prof: 'Survivor' castaway was avid student of the show »

— tracy swartz, chicagotribune.com, "Former Bear, Illinois CB Alan Ball competing on 'Survivor'," 30 Aug. 2017
Even when unable to see total eclipses in person, local scientists of yore were avid students of the partial variety.

— tom avril, Philly.com, "Why total solar eclipses have snubbed Philly - for centuries," 18 Aug. 2017
Slidell City Councilman Bill Borchert, an avid boater, said the new marina will be a welcome amenity.

— bob warren, NOLA.com, "Slidell officials hope public marina will spark economy," 18 Aug. 2017
The eclipse will first make landfall in Oregon, making the state a prime location for avid spectators.

— kayla epstein, courant.com, "The Worst Things That Could Go Wrong During The Total Solar Eclipse - And How To Be Prepared," 17 Aug. 2017
Werner has been collecting thousands of magnum bottles of red wine for half a century, and attracts an avid following of oenophiles.

— Smithsonian, "10 Unexpectedly Scenic Places in Austria," 14 Aug. 2017
Trump likely does sympathize with the old nativist demagogue — and not just because Arpaio was an early and avid backer of Trump’s own campaign, and a big-league fellow birther.

— ed kilgore, Daily Intelligencer, "Trump Pondering Pardon for Racial Profiler Joe Arpaio," 14 Aug. 2017
Denmark, which is otherwise known as an avid defender of gender equality, is apparently willing to consider husbands as worth less than their wives.

— hilary weaver, vanityfair.com, "Prince Henrik of Denmark Is Taking His Anger to the Grave," 4 Aug. 2017
Perhaps Reese Witherspoon resembles Monroe the most—a brainy blonde and avid reader, an actress turned producer with a fondness for adapting quality novels to film.

— elizabeth winder, Marie Claire, "The Secret Career Genius of Marilyn Monroe," 26 July 2017

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.

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).

Origin and Etymology of avid

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1769

See Words from the same year

avid Synonyms

Synonyms

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

Antonyms

apathetic, indifferent, uneager, unenthusiastic

Near Antonyms

nonmaterialistic; altruistic, bounteous, bountiful, charitable, freehanded, generous, greathearted, handsome, liberal, magnanimous, munificent, openhanded, openhearted, selfless, unselfish, unsparing; controlled, moderate, restrained, temperate; content, sated, satisfied

Synonym Discussion of 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

AVID Defined for English Language Learners

avid

play

adjective

Definition of avid for English Language Learners

: very eager
: wanting something very much

AVID Defined for Kids

avid

play

adjective av·id \ ˈa-vəd \

Definition of avid for Students

:very eager

an avid football fan

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avidly

adverb

Learn More about avid

See words that rhyme with avid Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for avid Spanish Central: Translation of avid Nglish: Translation of avid for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of avid for Arabic speakers

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AVID Defined for English Language Learners

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Definition of avid for English Language Learners

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