Definition of enthuse
enthused
;enthusing
transitive verb
1 : to make enthusiastic is enthused about the project
2 : to express with enthusiasm
intransitive verb
: to show enthusiasm a splendid performance, and I was enthusing over it — Julian Huxley
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Usage of enthuse
Enthuse is apparently American in origin, although the earliest known example of its use occurs in a letter written in 1827 by a young Scotsman who spent about two years in the Pacific Northwest. It has been disapproved since about 1870. Current evidence shows it to be flourishing nonetheless on both sides of the Atlantic especially in journalistic prose.
Examples of enthuse in a Sentence
“This dinner is wonderful!” he enthused.
His presentation failed to enthuse the committee.
Recent Examples of enthuse from the Web
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See More Sheri Alexander and Penny Carter, two friends vacationing from Augusta, Ga., were especially enthused by the car displays.
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Cameron enthused that trade deals the EU was negotiating with the U.S., Canada and Japan -- and the U.S. with other Pacific Rim nations -- would together add half a trillion dollars to the global economy.
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The decision is in keeping with Justice Department tradition to defend federal laws in court, even if the administration may not be enthused with the statute.
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Top military officers have alternatively enthused about taking direct action to oust Assad and seemed to rule it out.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'enthuse'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of enthuse
back-formation from enthusiasm
First Known Use: 1827
ENTHUSE Defined for English Language Learners
enthuse
playDefinition of enthuse for English Language Learners
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: to say (something) with enthusiasm
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: to show enthusiasm : to talk about something with enthusiasm
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: to make (someone) enthusiastic
Learn More about enthuse
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See words that rhyme with enthuse Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for enthuse Spanish Central: Translation of enthuse Nglish: Translation of enthuse for Spanish speakers
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