enthusiasm
enthusiasm Lexical Profile
enthusiasm Game Scores & Validity
• noun
Intense and eager enjoyment, interest, or approval toward a cause, activity, or subject.
"The students approached the science fair project with remarkable enthusiasm and creativity."
Something that arouses keen interest, devotion, or pursuit (often used in the plural).
"Throughout his retirement, gardening and classical music remained his greatest enthusiasms."
Religious fanaticism or extravagant spiritual devotion, especially the historical belief that one receives direct divine communication or inspiration.
"Eighteenth-century theologians frequently wrote treatises warning congregations against the excesses of religious enthusiasm."
• Rhymes for enthusiasm
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed in the early 17th century via French or Late Latin from Ancient Greek 'enthousiasmos', meaning 'divine inspiration' or 'possession by a god', derived from 'entheos' ('en-' meaning 'in' and 'theos' meaning 'god'). Originally used in English with a skeptical or pejorative sense for religious fanaticism before softening in the 18th century to mean lively eagerness.