enthusiast

noun

en·​thu·​si·​ast in-ˈthü-zē-ˌast How to pronounce enthusiast (audio)
-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

Examples of enthusiast in a Sentence

skiing enthusiasts can't wait for the first snowfall of the season
Recent Examples on the Web Lego enthusiasts who are part of KC Brick Lab, a social group for folks who enjoy building with the plastic bricks, gathered to show off a range of work, including celebrity portraits and a Kansas City skyline. Beth Lipoff, Kansas City Star, 6 Mar. 2024 While breaking enthusiasts acknowledge the opportunity the Olympics provide young dancers, some consider breaking’s inclusion in the Games bittersweet. Sean Gregory, TIME, 5 Mar. 2024 Equine enthusiasts will appreciate the garage/barn, three horse stalls, tack room, and feed room. Emma Reynolds, Robb Report, 4 Mar. 2024 Also planned is a 38-slip marina where RV enthusiasts will be able to rent kayaks and jet skis. Jeffrey Steele, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2024 Architecture enthusiasts may even notice the nod to an ocean liner, with curved lines and balconies similar to that of a ship’s deck. Chris Dong, Travel + Leisure, 29 Feb. 2024 According to the incredibly informative website maintained by clock enthusiast Mark Frank, the Type D existed as an internal testing device and never went into production. IEEE Spectrum, 29 Feb. 2024 The following year, climbing enthusiast Stu Hammett followed suit, building the NRocks Via Ferrata on private land in West Virginia’s Allegheny Mountains. Shoshi Parks, Smithsonian Magazine, 28 Feb. 2024 San Diego offers bird enthusiasts a front row seat to view several migratory species this spring. Maura Fox, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'enthusiast.' 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

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of enthusiast was in 1748

Dictionary Entries Near enthusiast

Cite this Entry

“Enthusiast.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/enthusiast. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

enthusiast

noun
en·​thu·​si·​ast in-ˈth(y)ü-zē-ˌast How to pronounce enthusiast (audio)
-əst
: a person filled with enthusiasm

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