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Definition of aficionado

aficionado

/əˌfɪʃ.i.əˈnɑː.doʊ/
a · fi · ci · o · na · do
Plural:aficionados
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aficionado Lexical Profile

aficionado Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A person who is very knowledgeable and enthusiastic about an activity, subject, or pastime.

Example

"As a longtime jazz aficionado, she could identify the saxophonist after hearing just a few bars of the solo."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for aficionado
Antonyms
View all antonyms for aficionado

Word Nuance & Usage

Unlike a casual 'fan', an 'aficionado' implies not only deep enthusiasm for a subject or pastime, but also a refined, knowledgeable appreciation of its nuances.

• Rhymes for aficionado

• Nearby Words

afghanistan
afghanistani
aficionada
aficionado
afield
afire
afl

Word Origin & Etymology

Borrowed in the early 19th century from Spanish 'aficionado', the past participle of 'aficionar' (to inspire affection), ultimately from Latin 'affectio' (disposition or fondness). In English, it originally referred specifically to a devoted follower of bullfighting before broadening to any knowledgeable enthusiast.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Aficionado. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/aficionado
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