Definition of enthusiasm
1a : belief in special revelations of the Holy Spiritb : religious fanaticism
2a : strong excitement of feeling : ardor did her work with energy and enthusiasmb : something inspiring zeal or fervor his enthusiasms include sailing and fishing
Explore M-W
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 of enthusiasm from the Web
-
A similar lack of enthusiasm among users and developers has limited adoption of the iPhone’s 3-D Touch feature, where a long, hard press on an app sometimes offers additional options such as viewing an email without opening it.
-
With full-scale conference play beginning Saturday, the Tribune offers its rankings of Big Ten stadiums based on quality of the structure, tradition, enthusiasm of the fan base and game-day atmosphere.
-
Though simple, this exercise builds self-confidence and the applause and enthusiasm from the crowd becomes the reinforcement.
-
The reason for the Underwoods’ apparent defeat—dampened enthusiasm among Democrats for their technocratic candidate accused of corruption—also seemed plenty familiar.
-
Northland native and owner of Bow Blast KC Jason McCarthy, 37, volunteered his time with his friend, Jason Georgeulakos, to share their enthusiasm for the sport with area children.
-
The latest edition showed more enthusiasm in the job market, with the 49.4 percent of respondents calling their jobs secure up from 48.3 percent a month ago.
-
But the veteran comedian still brings a boyish enthusiasm to his proudly zany routines.
-
At such events, Clinton has been treated more like a conquering heroine than the loser of an election — with more outward affection and enthusiasm than during the campaign.
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.
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.
Origin and Etymology of enthusiasm
Greek enthousiasmos, from enthousiazein to be inspired, irregular from entheos inspired, from en- + theos god
First Known Use: 1603
Synonym Discussion of enthusiasm
ENTHUSIASM Defined for English Language Learners
enthusiasm
playDefinition of enthusiasm for English Language Learners
-
: strong excitement about something : a strong feeling of active interest in something that you like or enjoy
-
: something causing a feeling of excitement and active interest : a hobby that someone feels enthusiastic about
ENTHUSIASM Defined for Kids
enthusiasm
playDefinition of enthusiasm for Students
: strong feeling in favor of something There were wild shouts of enthusiasm at this suggestion. — E. B. White, Stuart Little
Learn More about enthusiasm
-
See words that rhyme with enthusiasm Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for enthusiasm Spanish Central: Translation of enthusiasm Nglish: Translation of enthusiasm for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of enthusiasm for Arabic speakers
Seen and Heard
What made you want to look up enthusiasm? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Writing? Check your grammar now!