enthusiast

noun

en·​thu·​si·​ast in-ˈthü-zē-ˌast 

-əst,

en-,

 also  -ˈthyü-

: a person filled with enthusiasm: such as

a

: one who is ardently attached to a cause, object, or pursuit

a sports car enthusiast

b

: one who tends to become ardently absorbed in an interest

Synonyms

• addict
• aficionado
• afficionado
• buff
• bug
• devotee
• fan
• fanatic
• fancier
• fiend
• fool
• freak
• habitué
• habitue
• head
• hound
• junkie
• junky
• lover
• maniac
• maven
• mavin
• nut
• sucker

Examples of enthusiast in a Sentence

skiing enthusiasts can't wait for the first snowfall of the season

Recent Examples on the Web

This year, Easter Sunday falls on April 20, also known as 4/20, an unofficial holiday for cannabis enthusiasts in celebration of their love of the bud. —Amaris Encinas, USA Today, 20 Apr. 2025

Dabney has been telling other Burning Man enthusiasts about his DIY cooling system and referring them to Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace for used panels. —Bloomberg, Mercury News, 19 Apr. 2025

Yet many driving enthusiasts refuse to let go of the manual, citing more driver involvement and engagement. —Michael Harley, Forbes.com, 18 Apr. 2025

Blending apple cider vinegar and turmeric into a shot or elixir has gained popularity among wellness enthusiasts as a natural remedy for a wide variety of health concerns. —Sarah Anzlovar, Ms, Verywell Health, 17 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

earlier, "person claiming to receive divine communication or inspiration, member of a putative early Christian sect making such claims," borrowed from Late Greek enthousiastḗs, going back to Greek, "person possessed by a god," from enthousiad-, stem of enthousiázein "to be inspired or possessed by a god" + -tēs, agent suffix — more at enthusiasm

First Known Use

1748, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for enthusiast

• iconoclast
• osteoblast
• osteoclast
• aghast
• amassed
• biassed
• broadcast
• bypassed
• downcast
• forecast
• foremast
• harassed

Kids Definition

enthusiast

noun

en·​thu·​si·​ast in-ˈth(y)ü-zē-ˌast 

-əst

: a person filled with enthusiasm