Enthusiasm — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun /in-ˈthü-zē-ˌa-zəm/ en·thu·si·asm

Meaning & Definition of Enthusiasm

Enthusiasm (noun)

  1. strong excitement of feeling, ardor
  2. something inspiring zeal or fervor
  3. belief in special revelations of the Holy Spirit

Enthusiasm (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. a practice or interest that is very popular for a short time

    "this year's enthusiasm is often next year's laughingstock"

    similar: buzz, chic, craze, dernier cri, fad, fashion, flavor, go, hot ticket, last word, latest, mode, rage, sensation, style, ton, trend, vogue
    related: nine days' wonder, new wave, crush, infatuation, fervor, passion, furor, fuss, hullabaloo, to-do, uproar, bandwagon, crusade, cult, movement, novelty, wrinkle, caprice, fancy, whim
    near: classic, standard

  2. urgent desire or interest

    "in my enthusiasm to get going, I forgot to pack any foul-weather clothing"

    similar: appetite, ardor, avidity, avidness, desirousness, eagerness, excitement, hunger, impatience, keenness, lust, thirst
    related: alacrity, quickness, ambition, gusto, zest, appetence, appetency, fervency, passion, warmth, zeal, amenability, readiness, willingness
    opposite: apathy, indifference
    near: casualness, insouciance, nonchalance, unconcern, aloofness, detachment, impassivity, languidness, languor, halfheartedness, lukewarmness

  3. depth of feeling

    "spoke about wildlife conservation with evident enthusiasm"

    similar: ardency, ardor, emotion, fervency, fervidness, fervor, fire, heat, intenseness, intensity, passion, passionateness, vehemence, violence, warmth, white heat
    related: cathexis, emotionalism, emotionality, histrionics, mawkishness, melodrama, sappiness, sentimentality, eagerness, earnestness, excitement, gusto, keenness, zest, fanaticism, fever, hot-bloodedness, infatuation, mania, obsession, zeal, compassion, responsiveness, sentiment, sympathy, tenderness, torridity, torridness
    opposite: impassiveness, impassivity, insensibility, insensibleness, insensitiveness, insensitivity
    near: aloofness, calmness, collectedness, composure, detachedness, dryness, phlegm, reserve, reservedness, reticence, taciturnity, apathy, indifference, stoicism, stoniness, unconcern, stiffness, woodenness, chilliness, coldness, coolness, frigidity, frigidness

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Enthusiasm

The most common words with a similar meaning to Enthusiasm:

buzz, chic, craze, dernier cri, fad, fashion, flavor, go, hot ticket, last word, latest, mode, rage, sensation, style, ton, trend, vogue, appetite, ardor, avidity, avidness, desirousness, eagerness, excitement, hunger, impatience, keenness, lust, thirst, ardency, emotion, fervency, fervidness, fervor, fire, heat, intenseness, intensity, passion

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Enthusiasm

Words with the opposite meaning of Enthusiasm:

apathy, indifference, impassiveness, impassivity, insensibility, insensibleness, insensitiveness, insensitivity

Related Words for Enthusiasm

nine days' wonder, new wave, crush, infatuation, furor, fuss, hullabaloo, to-do, uproar, bandwagon, crusade, cult, movement, novelty, wrinkle, caprice, fancy, whim, alacrity, quickness, ambition, gusto, zest, appetence, appetency, zeal, amenability, readiness, willingness, cathexis

Near Antonyms of Enthusiasm

classic, standard, casualness, insouciance, nonchalance, unconcern, aloofness, detachment, languidness, languor, halfheartedness, lukewarmness, calmness, collectedness, composure, detachedness, dryness, phlegm, reserve, reservedness, reticence, taciturnity, stoicism, stoniness, stiffness, woodenness, chilliness, coldness, coolness, frigidity

Origin & Etymology of Enthusiasm

borrowed from Late Latin & Greek; Late Latin enthūsiasmos "inspiration, frenzy," borrowed from Greek enthousiasmós, from enthousiázein "to be inspired or possessed by a god" (re-formation of entheázein —perhaps by crossing with thysiázein "to sacrifice"— verbal derivative of éntheos, énthous "possessed by a god, inspired," from en- en-:2 + -theos, adjectival derivative of theós "god") + -asmos, variant after -i- of -ismos -ism

First known use: 1595

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Enthusiasm

Frequently Asked Questions about Enthusiasm

What does "Enthusiasm" mean?

"Enthusiasm" means strong excitement of feeling, ardor. As a noun, it is defined as: strong excitement of feeling, ardor. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Enthusiasm"?

Other words for "Enthusiasm" include buzz, chic, craze, dernier cri, fad, fashion, flavor and go. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Enthusiasm" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Enthusiasm"?

There are 95 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Enthusiasm". Common alternatives include buzz, chic, craze, dernier cri, fad, fashion, flavor, go, hot ticket and last word.

What is the opposite of "Enthusiasm"?

Antonyms of "Enthusiasm" include apathy, indifference, impassiveness, impassivity, insensibility, insensibleness, insensitiveness and insensitivity. Near antonyms include classic, standard, casualness and insouciance.

How do you use "Enthusiasm" in a sentence?

Examples of "Enthusiasm" in a sentence: "this year's enthusiasm is often next year's laughingstock"; "in my enthusiasm to get going, I forgot to pack any foul-weather clothing"; "spoke about wildlife conservation with evident enthusiasm".

Is "Enthusiasm" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Enthusiasm" is a noun.

Is "Enthusiasm" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a B2-level word, "Enthusiasm" is typical of Cambridge B2 First (FCE), IELTS band 5.5–6.5, TOEFL iBT 72–94, PTE Academic 59–75, TOEIC Listening & Reading 785+.

How do you pronounce "Enthusiasm"?

"Enthusiasm" is pronounced /in-ˈthü-zē-ˌa-zəm/ and divided into syllables as en·thu·si·asm.