enthusiasm

The word “enthusiasm” means strong excitement and eager interest in something. In plain terms, a strong, eager excitement about something.

“Enthusiasm” is pronounced ihn-THOO-zee-a-zuhm (/ɪnˈθuziæzəm/ in IPA).

Here is “enthusiasm” used in a sentence: “She approached the new project with real enthusiasm.”

Words with a similar meaning to “enthusiasm” include ardor, alacrity, celerity, energy, exuberance and exuberantness.

The opposite of “enthusiasm” — its antonyms — are apathy and lethargy.

“Enthusiasm” is a noun.

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.

“Enthusiasm” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.

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.

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.

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."

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.