enthusiast

noun

en·​thu·​si·​ast in-ˈthü-zē-ˌast How to pronounce enthusiast (audio)
-əst, 
en-
also -ˈthyü-
Synonyms of enthusiast
: 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

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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.
Now, Trump’s deportation enthusiasts are left feeling like they’ve been scammed. — Rachel Marsden, Hartford Courant, 6 Aug. 2026 Pure Street Photography reaches a global community of more than 300,000 photographers and photography enthusiasts. — Joanne Shurvell, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026 Not a dermatologist, did not go to med school, but yes, sunscreen enthusiast. — Popular Science Team, Popular Science, 6 Aug. 2026 And now, a new long distance trail brings outdoor enthusiasts on a unique hike through six different countries, all while climbing the equivalent of ten times the height of Mount Everest. — Michael Cappetta, Travel + Leisure, 4 Aug. 2026 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

Rhymes for enthusiast

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Browse Nearby Words

enthusiasm
enthusiast
enthusiastic
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Cite this Entry

“Enthusiast.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/enthusiast. Accessed 13 Aug. 2026.

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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

Nglish: Translation of enthusiast for Spanish Speakers

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