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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-

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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


Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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.

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.

Converse of object

  • dampen: However, with the side refusing to let ill-fortune dampen enthusiasm, things improved in the fourth match against Eastwood Park.

Preposition: for

  • subject: The importance of the teacher and their enthusiasm for the subject should not be underestimated.

Adjective modifier

  • boundless: Their common bond is their boundless enthusiasm for the films we love.
enthusiasm usage examples (more)

The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.

enthusiasm quotes

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

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

-Frayne,Trent

enthusiasm quotes (more)

Webster's New World Dictionary of Quotations Copyright © 2005 by Chambers Harrap Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Published by Wiley, Hoboken, NJ. Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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"enthusiasm." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009

  • Your Dictionary. 4 July 2009
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enthusiasm. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary

  • Retrieved July 4th, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/enthusiasm

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