enthusiasm Hear it!

enthusiasm Definition

en·thu·si·asm (en t̸ho̵̅o̅′zē az′əm, -t̸hyo̵̅o̅′-; -in-)

noun

  1. Historical supernatural inspiration or possession; inspired prophetic or poetic ecstasy
  2. Obsolete religious fanaticism
  3. intense or eager interest; zeal; fervor
  4. something arousing such interest or zeal

Etymology: Gr enthousiasmos < enthousiazein, to be inspired, be possessed by a god, inspire < enthous, entheos, possessed by a god < en-, in + theos, god: see theo-

enthusiasm Synonyms

enthusiasm

n.

  1. Ardent zeal

    fervor, zeal, ardor, interest, passion, vehemence, eagerness, zealousness, earnestness, fanaticism, frenzy, intensity, feeling, zest, keenness, vim, energy, activity, ardency, ecstasy, craze, mania, vivacity, impetuosity, fever, fieriness, élan, excitement, vigor, verve, furor, spirit, flare, rapture, heat, relish, gusto, vitality, animation, brio (Italian), alacrity, avidity, transport, joy, emotion, warmth, exhilaration, exuberance, joie de vivre (French), glow, rage, devotion, fury, fullness of heart, fire, life, go*, snap*, pep*, zip*, dash*. *

    Antonyms dullness*, weariness*, ennui. *

  2. Something arousing interest or zeal

    craze, fad, passion, interest; see fad.

enthusiasm implies strongly favorable feelings for an object or cause and usually suggests eagerness in the pursuit of something her enthusiasm for golf; zeal implies intense enthusiasm for an object or cause, usually as displayed in vigorous and untiring activity in its support a zeal for reform; passion usually implies a strong emotion that has an overpowering or compelling effect his passions overcame his reason; a passion for music; fervor and ardor both imply emotion of burning intensity, fervor suggesting a constant glow of feeling religious fervor, and ardor, a restless, flamelike emotion the ardors of youth

enthusiasm Usage Examples

Preposition: of

  • participant: The most exciting thing our team got out of this work was the energy and enthusiasm of the participants.
  • volunteer: It's thanks to the enthusiasm of the volunteers that the Dean Forest Railroad exists.

Converse of subject

  • impress: We have been impressed by the enthusiasm with which some lawyers have greeted the prospect of being able to exercise such rights.
  • delight: We have been delighted by the enthusiasm of both staff and pupils and the obvious improvement in ability and confidence demonstrated by all pupils involved.
  • inspire: Above all, he led an exciting and innovative department, where we were inspired by the enthusiasm and passion of the staff.

Converse of object

  • dampen: However, with the side refusing to let ill-fortune dampen enthusiasm, things improved in the fourth match against Eastwood Park.
  • muster: You may suffer from long bouts of being tired, exhausted or unable to muster much enthusiasm for life like you usually do.
  • arouse: His emblematic cartoons have never failed to arouse enthusiasm and patriotism.
  • engender: Music is now a major strength of the school, in terms of the enthusiasm engendered in a wide cross section of pupils.
  • generate: The new group, consisting of around 500 patients, has generated much enthusiasm.
  • inject: I have often heard them try to inject a little enthusiasm into the congregation: " Hello, is there anybody there?

Preposition: for

  • subject: The importance of the teacher and their enthusiasm for the subject should not be underestimated.
  • sport: My strongest points are my impartiality and my enthusiasm for all sports.
  • science: Jennie Luebke was inspired while working summer jobs in laboratories, by ' several mentors who appreciated my great enthusiasm for science ' .

Adjective modifier

  • boundless: Their common bond is their boundless enthusiasm for the films we love.
  • infectious: He contributes infectious enthusiasm to all forms of teaching using a wide range of media.
  • renewed: I have gained many useful insights and new ideas for my own work, and renewed enthusiasm for a career in science.
  • youthful: Of course youthful enthusiasm is not rewarded in this way.
  • unbridled: Often acknowledged as a perfect English gentleman, Peter Morgan was full of unbridled enthusiasm for life and for the cars his family builds.
  • unbounded: This whole album positively fizzes and bubbles with life, truth and unbounded enthusiasm - all delivered in manageable soundbites.
enthusiasm Quotes

We were as nearly bored as enthusiasm would permit.

—Gosse, Sir Edmund

Back of every creation, supporting it like an arch, is faith. Enthusiasm is nothing: it comes and goes. But if one believes, then miracles occur.

—Miller, Henry Valentine

You can't climb up to the second floor without a ladder. When you set your aim too high and don't fulfil it, then your enthusiasm turns to bitterness. Try for a goal that's reasonable, and then gradually raise it. That's the only way to get to the top.

—Zatopek, Emil

If you aren't fired with enthusiasm, you'll be fired with enthusiasm.

—Lombardi,Vince(ntThomas)

It is an axiom of sports that the legs go first. For sportswriters, it's the enthusiasm.

—Frayne,Trent

To fight for the right, to abhor the imperfect, the unjust, or the mean, to swerve neither to the right hand nor the left, to care nothing for flattery or applause or odium or abuseöit is so easy to have any of them in Indiaönever to let your enthusiasm be soured or your courage grow dim but to remember that the Almighty has placed your hand on the greatest of his ploughs, in whose furrow the nations of the future are germinating and taking shape, to drive the blade a little forward in your time and to feel that somewhere among those millions you have left, a little justice, or happiness or prosperity, a sense of manliness or moral dignity, a springof patriotism, a dawn of intellectual enlightenmentora stirringofduty whereit did not exist beforeöthat is enough, that is the Englishman's justification in India.

—Curzon (of Kedleston), Lord George Nathaniel

Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm.

—Emerson, RalphWaldo

Quand une fois on a tourne¤   l'enthousiasme en ridicule, on a tout de¤  fait, excepte¤   l'argent et le pouvoir. Once we have made enthusiasm ridiculous, there is nothing left but money and power.

—Stae«  l, Germaine Necker, Baronne de

It is this tendency to play with manic enthusiasm on every possible occasion that distinguishes the amateur jazz musician from the professional, often to the public detriment of the latter, who are regarded as snootyand unfriendly.

—Lyttelton, Humphrey Richard Adeane

Science isthegreat antidoteto the poison of enthusiasm and superstition.

—Smith, Adam

We may say 'God Save the Queen', because nothing will save the Governor-General† Maintain your rage and your enthusiasm for the election now to be held and until polling day.

—Whitlam, (Edward) Gough

Whatever may have been my enthusiasm or impatience to be up and doing on the night before, the hour for getting up always finds me with no other ambition in the world than to be permitted to lie where I am and sleep, sleep, sleep.Not soTilman.Ihave never met anyonewith such a complete disregard for the sublime comforts of the early morning bed. However monstrously early we might decide, thenight before, toget up, hewas about at least half an hour before the time. He was generally very good about it, and used to sit placidly smoking his pipe over the fire.

—Shipton, Eric Earle