avid

adjective av·id \ ˈa-vəd \

|Updated on: 9 Jun 2018

Tip: Synonym Guide

Examples: avid in a Sentence

Editor's Note: The Finer Points of avid

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

—

avidly

adverb

—

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

Like Princess Diana, Prince Harry and Meghan are both avid supporters of several charitable organizations.

— stacey leasca, Glamour, "Here's How Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Paid Tribute to Diana During Their Royal Wedding," 19 May 2018
As was the case with Trump, the controversy does not appear to have dampened Colbeck's support among his most avid supporters.

— paul egan, Detroit Free Press, "He's Michigan's most conservative Republican candidate for governor," 11 May 2018
McInerney, an avid supporter of President Donald Trump, mentioned McCain in a segment about CIA director nominee Gina Haspel.

— alex ward, Vox, "Fox News guest says torture “worked on John McCain.” That’s offensive — and flatly wrong.," 10 May 2018
Darden's account of the conversation sparked outrage on Twitter and left avid Kanye supporters in disbelief.

— carl lamarre, Billboard, "Kanye West Calls Hot 97 Amid Trump Controversy, Tells Morning Host Ebro Darden He Loves Him," 24 Apr. 2018
Roseanne Barr is an avid Trump supporter while other members of the cast are not Come back every weekday at 8:30 a.m. EST to watch People Now streaming live from the Meredith offices in New York City, and rebroadcast at 11:30 a.m. EST.

— people staff, PEOPLE.com, "House Divided: Lecy Goranson on How the Cast of Roseanne Is Able to See Past Political Differences," 27 Mar. 2018
The League’s leader, Matteo Salvini, is an ally of Marine Le Pen’s far-right National Party in France, an avid Trump supporter, and an admirer of Putin.

— trudy rubin, Philly.com, "Populist victory in Italy's election has lessons for U.S. | Trudy Rubin," 7 Mar. 2018
Every so often a beauty product launches that surprises even the most avid makeup collector.

— eden univer, Harper's BAZAAR, "See the Season's Hottest New Lipstick Launch in Action," 18 May 2018
Though this makes complete sense — studies do show avid Facebook users are prone to depression and low self-esteem — the Cigna survey states that social media isn’t entirely to blame.

— NBC News, "Americans are lonelier than ever — but 'Gen Z' may be the loneliest," 14 May 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

in the meaning defined at sense 2

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.