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 of enthusiast

• 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

Additionally, for Midwest ski enthusiasts, Snowriver Mountain is part of the Legendary Pass, allowing access to Lutsen Mountains in Minnesota and Granite Peak in Wisconsin. —Katy Spratte Joyce, Travel + Leisure, 7 Feb. 2026

Modern perfume enthusiasts seek more than projection and volume. —Maria Williams, USA Today, 7 Feb. 2026

The San Diego Cactus and Succulent Society, an affiliate of the Cactus and Succulent Society of America, was founded in 1961 and is made up of hobbyists, researchers and enthusiasts who share a common interest and appreciation for the uniqueness and beauty of succulent plants. —The San Diego Union Tribune, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Feb. 2026

Inman says the gun belonged to Underwood's husband, a military service member and gun enthusiast. —J.d. Miles, CBS News, 7 Feb. 2026

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