enthusiasm

noun

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en·thu·si·asm | \ in-ˈthü-zē-ˌa-zəm

, en- also -ˈthyü- \

Definition of enthusiasm

1a : strong excitement of feeling : ardor did her work with energy and enthusiasm

b : something inspiring zeal or fervor his enthusiasms include sailing and fishing

2a : belief in special revelations of the Holy Spirit

b : religious fanaticism

Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym What is the history of enthusiasm? More Example Sentences Learn More about enthusiasm

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Choose the Right Synonym for enthusiasm

passion, fervor, ardor, enthusiasm, zeal mean intense emotion compelling action. passion applies to an emotion that is deeply stirring or ungovernable. was a slave to his passions fervor implies a warm and steady emotion. read the poem aloud with great fervor ardor suggests warm and excited feeling likely to be fitful or short-lived. the ardor of their honeymoon soon faded enthusiasm applies to lively or eager interest in or admiration for a proposal, cause, or activity. never showed much enthusiasm for sports zeal implies energetic and unflagging pursuit of an aim or devotion to a cause. preaches with fanatical zeal

What is the history of enthusiasm?

It may come as a surprise to many people, when they first look up the word enthusiasm, to see that its original meaning has to do with passion for religion, rather than passionate or eager interest in general. A brief explanation of the word’s etymology should clear this up. Enthusiasm entered the English language around the beginning of the 17th century. It was borrowed from the Greek enthousiasmos, meaning “inspiration or possession by a god.” For the first two hundred or so years that it was used in English, enthusiasm was primarily employed to refer to beliefs or passions that related to religion. By the beginning of the 18th century, however, the word began to be used to describe having strong feelings or interest in secular matters.

Examples of enthusiasm in a Sentence

Hour by hour, minute by minute, Guerrero is a racehorse, sitting upright in a chair, revising copy, clarifying names and places, sprinkling the reports with jokes while a producer talks in her ear—then delivering with breakneck speed and unflagging enthusiasm. — Joel Drucker, Cigar Aficionado, May/June 2003 The Gower has a bewitching effect on my children. Perhaps it is because of having been cooped up in the car for four hours, but once we are negotiating the windy road along this southern Welsh peninsula, they are all gushing with enthusiasm. — Emma Haughton, Times (London), 12 Aug. 2000 Now that he was awake, he couldn't understand how he could have slept through the racket the birds were making. "Oliver," Harry croaked. "It's the crack of dawn." "Exactly," said Wood. He was a tall and burly sixth year and, at the moment, his eyes were gleaming with a crazed enthusiasm. "It's part of our new training program. Come on, grab your broom, and let's go," said Wood heartily. — J. K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, 1999 These days, even the wiliest brand-builders are at least a little anxious about the emerging teenage market, with its stylistic balkanization, shifting folkways and unpredictably spiking enthusiasms. — Hal Espen, New York Times Magazine, 21 Mar. 1999 The party supported its candidate with enthusiasm. He seems to lack enthusiasm for the work he's doing. Among his latest enthusiasms are sailing and fishing.

Recent Examples on the Web The Buckeyes still return three All Big Ten-caliber offensive linemen as starters, and there is growing enthusiasm about the options to win the other two jobs. — Nathan Baird, cleveland, "Can Ohio State football’s Justin Fields do in 2020 what Auburn’s Cam Newton did in 2010? Buckeye Talk Text Q&A," 14 May 2020 Use enthusiasm and energy to make money rather than spending it. — oregonlive, "Horoscope for May 12, 2020: Pisces, tiptoe around temptations; Cancer, use the buddy system," 12 May 2020 Also, too much enthusiasm about technology feels politically risky right now. — Fred Vogelstein, Wired, "Health Officials Say 'No Thanks' to Contact-Tracing Tech," 8 May 2020 Like Molly in Booksmart, or Julie in Ladybird, the actress exudes 100 percent sincerity and enthusiasm in real life. — Rachel Yang, EW.com, "From Lady Bird to How to Build a Girl, Beanie Feldstein is a coming-of-age movie star," 8 May 2020 Despite the German public and military's enthusiasm over this futuristic transportation, the looming safety issue was obvious. — Matt Blitz, Popular Mechanics, "83 Years Later, Many Questions Remain About the Hindenburg Disaster," 6 May 2020 What constituents, colleagues, and friends seem to admire most about Niou personally is her kindness and enthusiasm. — Leah Carroll, refinery29.com, "Yuh-Line Niou Is Fighting For Chinatown’s Survival," 4 May 2020 Scientists are hopeful that enthusiasm will fill up all the trials necessary to prove the vaccines work. — Carolyn Johnson, Anchorage Daily News, "Inside the extraordinary race to invent a coronavirus vaccine," 3 May 2020 Eight such words have long bothered me, having witnessed their ability to block potential and dampen enthusiasm. — Josh Linkner, Detroit Free Press, "Redefine these 8 words to reimagine your future," 2 May 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'enthusiasm.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.