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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
And a diverse network of monarch enthusiasts, conservation efforts and landowners are anxious to see whether or how the federal government plans to protect the widespread monarch. Nathan Rott, NPR, 19 Nov. 2024 As snow blankets the Colorado mountains, outdoor enthusiasts have a unique opportunity: the winter hut trip. Margaret Jackson, The Denver Post, 13 Nov. 2024 The price of Dogecoin surged dramatically, and crypto enthusiasts suddenly became interested in Dogecoin. Vinamrata Chaturvedi, Quartz, 13 Nov. 2024 Wellness and fitness enthusiasts can spend sea days at the spa and fitness center in between loops on the outdoor jogging track. Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 6 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for enthusiast 

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 2 Dec. 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

More from Merriam-Webster on enthusiast

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