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

For outdoor enthusiasts, that has meant adjusting plans rather than staying inside. —Spencer Wilson, CBS News, 24 Mar. 2026

The next generation of girl football enthusiasts, like the girls who filled the field Friday night, will have much more opportunity to showcase their skills. —Laylan Connelly, Oc Register, 23 Mar. 2026

Creason was an avid car enthusiast drawn to anything with an engine or ample horsepower, according to his obituary. —Elissa Jorgensen, Dallas Morning News, 23 Mar. 2026

The curriculum is intended for nonprofit staff, community volunteers, local officials and garden enthusiasts. —Post-Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 23 Mar. 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