enthuse

verb

en·​thuse in-ˈthüz 

en-

also -ˈthyüz

enthused; enthusing

transitive verb

1

: to make enthusiastic

is enthused about the project

2

: to express with enthusiasm

intransitive verb

: to show enthusiasm

… a splendid performance, and I was enthusing over it …

—Julian Huxley

Usage of Enthuse

Enthuse is apparently American in origin, although the earliest known example of its use occurs in a letter written in 1827 by a young Scotsman who spent about two years in the Pacific Northwest. It has been disapproved since about 1870. Current evidence shows it to be flourishing nonetheless on both sides of the Atlantic especially in journalistic prose.

Synonyms of enthuse

• drool
• rave
• gush
• fuss

Examples of enthuse in a Sentence

“This dinner is wonderful!” he enthused.

His presentation failed to enthuse the committee.

Recent Examples on the Web

Rodgy Guerrera, founder of boutique head hunter Rodgy Guerrera & Partners, enthused about Vitale’s arrival at the group. — Luisa Zargani, Footwear News, 16 Sep. 2026

Five o’clock Saturday, the Riverside Stadium and Middlesbrough head coach Kim Hellberg is fist-pumping a half-bewildered but fully enthused home crowd. — Michael Walker, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026

But some state party leaders aren’t enthused about the timing, cost and planning of the event. — Elizabeth Robinson, NBC news, 4 Sep. 2026

The Treasury’s move comes just weeks after Fed Chairman Kevin Warsh had enthused over financial markets being freed of forward guidance. — Christopher Anstey, Fortune, 20 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

back-formation from enthusiasm

First Known Use

1827, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Rhymes for enthuse

• accrues
• accuse
• aircrews
• amuse
• bamboos
• breakthroughs
• canoes
• cashews
• chartreuse
• confuse
• construes
• defuse

Kids Definition

enthuse

verb

en·​thuse in-ˈth(y)üz 

enthused; enthusing

1

: to make enthusiastic

2

: to show enthusiasm