avid

adjective av·id \ ˈa-vəd \

Updated on: 15 Apr 2018

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

King Hassan II of Morocco, who ruled from 1961 until 1999, was an avid player who did much to encourage its development.

— ruth bloomfield, WSJ, "Mad About Golf in Marrakesh, Morocco," 5 Apr. 2018
Wertheim and Nashawaty—who is also an avid tennis player and fan—discuss some of the recent tennis films, such as Battle of the Sexes, and the upcoming Borg vs. McEnroe movie featuring Shia LaBeouf that releases on April 13.

— jon wertheim, SI.com, "A Movie Critic's Take on the State of Tennis Movies," 5 Apr. 2018
Patti was an avid hiker and loved bicycling during the warmer months with Donnie.

— courant.com, "Patricia Ann Bidwell," 4 Apr. 2018
Veronica Pimentel, Elaine's mom, said her daughter has been an avid reader since the age of 3, often at a library reading and learning new words.

— jeff landa, latimes.com, "Glendale sixth-grader wins county spelling bee, eyes state title," 3 Apr. 2018
Among her many interests, Hawkins is an avid reader, writer, and gardener.

— amanda loudin, Outside Online, "Running Wisdom from 100-Year-Old Champions," 30 Mar. 2018
An avid reader, Houston eventually turned to business books to learn about leading a company.

— susie gharib, Fortune, "Dropbox CEO Dreamed of Having His Own Company and Now Runs a $12 Billion Powerhouse," 28 Mar. 2018
Henny was an avid reader, knitter, bridge and poker player.

— Sun-Sentinel.com, "Deaths in South Florida: 3/15," 15 Mar. 2018
An avid hiker at 57, he was moved by the geographical splendor of the place.

— andrea simakis, cleveland.com, "Playhouse Square launches national tour of Tony-winner 'Hello Dolly!' starring Betty Buckley," 12 Feb. 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.

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

Phrases

champing at the bit, chomping at the bit;

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.