enthusiasm
ihn-THOO-zee-a-zuhm
Enthusiasm (noun) means Strong excitement and eager interest in something. Example: “The crowd greeted the band with loud cheers and boundless enthusiasm.”
noun
1
Strong excitement and eager interest in something.
"The crowd greeted the band with loud cheers and boundless enthusiasm."
"She approached the new project with real enthusiasm."
"His enthusiasm for cooking led him to open his own restaurant."
How to use enthusiasm
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA strong, eager excitement about something.
Common pairings
great enthusiasm
enthusiasm for
lack of enthusiasm
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like enthusiasm.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- enthusiasms
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The crowd greeted the band with loud cheers and boundless _____.
Etymology
From Ancient Greek enthousiasmos, based on en- ("in") + theos ("god"), originally meaning divine inspiration or possession by a god.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “enthusiasm” mean?
The word “enthusiasm” means strong excitement and eager interest in something. In plain terms, a strong, eager excitement about something.
How do you pronounce “enthusiasm”?
“Enthusiasm” is pronounced ihn-THOO-zee-a-zuhm (/ɪnˈθuziæzəm/ in IPA).
How do you use “enthusiasm” in a sentence?
Here is “enthusiasm” used in a sentence: “She approached the new project with real enthusiasm.”
What is another word for “enthusiasm”?
Words with a similar meaning to “enthusiasm” include ardor, alacrity, celerity, energy, exuberance and exuberantness.
What is the opposite of “enthusiasm”?
The opposite of “enthusiasm” — its antonyms — are apathy and lethargy.
What part of speech is “enthusiasm”?
“Enthusiasm” is a noun.
Where does the word “enthusiasm” come from?
The word “enthusiasm” comes from Ancient Greek. From Ancient Greek enthousiasmos, based on en- ("in") + theos ("god"), originally meaning divine inspiration or possession by a god.
Is “enthusiasm” a common word?
“Enthusiasm” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
What is the difference between enthusiasm and passion?
Enthusiasm is strong excitement and eager interest in something, while passion is a deeper, more intense, and usually longer-lasting emotion. You might show enthusiasm for a new hobby after a week, but passion suggests a powerful commitment sustained over time.
Do you say "enthusiasm for" or "enthusiasm about"?
The standard collocation is "enthusiasm for," as in "her enthusiasm for science." "Enthusiasm about" also occurs, but note that the adjective takes a different preposition: people are "enthusiastic about" something, not "enthusiastic for" it.
Is enthusiasm countable or uncountable?
Enthusiasm is usually uncountable, as in "they greeted the idea with enthusiasm." The countable plural "enthusiasms" does exist, but it means a person's particular interests or hobbies, as in "one of his many enthusiasms."
What is the difference between enthusiasm and eagerness?
Eagerness is an impatient desire to do or get something, often focused on a specific moment, while enthusiasm is strong excitement and interest in an activity or subject itself. A student may feel eagerness to finish an exam but enthusiasm for the subject being examined.
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include enthusiasm:
