avid

adjective

av·​id ˈa-vəd How to pronounce avid (audio)
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

Did you know?

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).

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

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 Teacher Dean Paquette was an early adopter and is now an avid advocate of dressing up. Steve Hartman, CBS News, 15 Mar. 2024 Gaines became prominent in conservative circles after becoming an avid opponent of transgender athletes' right to participate in women's sports. Detroit Free Press, 13 Mar. 2024 When Harry met Meghan, an American actress, the following year, he was exposed to an avid and expert user of social media. Mark Landler, New York Times, 12 Mar. 2024 If history is any guide, the Irish imports will be favorites to win most of the top races, which were once watched by the late Queen Elizabeth II – herself an avid rider from childhood. Olivia Fletcher, Fortune Europe, 11 Mar. 2024 As a child, Prebble was an avid reader, often of books meant for adults. Rebecca Mead, The New Yorker, 4 Mar. 2024 During summer our brother, Charlie, an avid fisherman, would occasionally catch enough bass for mom to stuff and roast. Rita Nader Heikenfeld, The Enquirer, 2 Mar. 2024 For avid skiers and riders, powder is paramount and February marks a pivotal time for snowpack, so now’s the time to book that last-minute ski vacation to take advantage of what promises to be excellent spring skiing conditions. Roger Sands, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2024 As an avid backpacker witnessing climate change’s direct effects on our natural landscapes, for me this issue is deeply personal. Letters To The Editor, The Mercury News, 29 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'avid.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1769, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of avid was in 1769

Dictionary Entries Near avid

Cite this Entry

“Avid.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/avid. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

avid

adjective
av·​id ˈav-əd How to pronounce avid (audio)
1
: having so much desire for something as to be greedy
avid for attention
2
: very eager : enthusiastic
an avid football fan
avidity
ə-ˈvid-ət-ē
a-
noun
avidly
ˈav-əd-lē
adverb
avidness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on avid

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!