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

• lover
• fan
• sucker
• fanatic

Examples of enthusiast in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples on the Web

Quinn’s role as Eddie Munson, a heavy metal enthusiast and leader of the Hellfire Club, on season four of Stranger Things marked his breakout role in Hollywood. —Olivia Singh, Forbes.com, 24 July 2025

Discovery Cove offers a truly unique waterpark experience that aquatic life enthusiasts will adore. —Lynnette Nicholas, Parents, 23 July 2025

The new ownership piloted the 2004 launch of the Pershing 50, which proved popular with speed enthusiasts who also wanted comfort and style. —Julia Zaltzman, Robb Report, 23 July 2025

Shark enthusiasts can watch 20 hours of content ranging from rare footage and conservation efforts to video of feeding frenzies. —Irit Skulnik, Baltimore Sun, 22 July 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