fanatic
fuh-NAT-ihk
Fanatic (noun) means someone with extreme, unshakeable enthusiasm for a cause, belief, or hobby. Example: “He's a fitness fanatic who runs ten miles every morning.”
noun
1
Someone with extreme, unshakeable enthusiasm for a cause, belief, or hobby.
"He's a fitness fanatic who runs ten miles every morning."
"Religious fanatics stormed the temple gates."
How to use fanatic
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomeone whose enthusiasm for something has tipped into extreme, sometimes alarming intensity.
Common mistake
Slightly stronger and often more negative than "fan" — a "fan" enjoys something, a "fanatic" is obsessive or extreme about it.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
religious fanatic
fitness fanatic
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Word forms
- Plural
- fanatics
- Comparative
- more fanatic
- Superlative
- most fanatic
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He's a fitness _____ who runs ten miles every morning.
Etymology
From Latin fanaticus, "inspired by a god, frenzied," originally describing worshippers at a temple (fanum).
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for fanatic
static
somatic
aquatic
hepatic
erratic
lunatic
aromatic
ecstatic
operatic
dramatic
climatic
emphatic
See all rhymes for fanatic →
Frequently asked questions
What does “fanatic” mean?
The word “fanatic” means someone with extreme, unshakeable enthusiasm for a cause, belief, or hobby. In plain terms, someone whose enthusiasm for something has tipped into extreme, sometimes alarming intensity.
How do you pronounce “fanatic”?
“Fanatic” is pronounced fuh-NAT-ihk (/fəˈnæt.ɪk/ in IPA).
How do you use “fanatic” in a sentence?
Here is “fanatic” used in a sentence: “He's a fitness fanatic who runs ten miles every morning.”
What part of speech is “fanatic”?
“Fanatic” is a noun.
Where does the word “fanatic” come from?
The word “fanatic” comes from Latin. From Latin fanaticus, "inspired by a god, frenzied," originally describing worshippers at a temple (fanum).
Is “fanatic” a common word?
“Fanatic” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the C1 level.
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