What does enthusiasm mean?
Enthusiasm is intense and eager enjoyment, interest, or approval directed toward a person, activity, idea, or cause. It describes the excited energy someone brings to what they do, as in 'she pursued the research with real enthusiasm.' The word derives ultimately from the Greek 'entheos,' meaning 'possessed by a god' or 'inspired,' reflecting its original religious sense before broadening over the centuries to mean fervor of any kind. Today it is almost always positive: to show enthusiasm is to demonstrate commitment, vitality, and genuine interest, which makes the word especially valued in references, interviews, and descriptions of character. It can also refer, in the plural, to particular pursuits that absorb someone's interest, as in 'his enthusiasms ranged from chess to opera.' Related forms include the adjective 'enthusiastic' and the noun 'enthusiast,' meaning a devoted fan or admirer of something. Few words capture sustained, wholehearted eagerness so precisely.
Intense and eager enjoyment, interest, or approval.
"The children greeted the news with great enthusiasm."
Usually uncountable in this sense.
A pursuit or subject that arouses strong passionate interest in someone.
"Gardening became one of her chief enthusiasms after she retired."
Typically used in the plural in this sense.
The plural is used mainly in the sense of particular interests or passions, not for the general feeling of eagerness.
"His enthusiasms included astronomy, mountaineering, and medieval history."
The ancient Greeks coined it from 'entheos' — literally 'the god within' — believing that true passion was a form of divine possession.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of enthusiasm
Enthusiasm entered English in the early 17th century, borrowed via Latin or directly from Greek 'enthousiasmos,' meaning 'divine inspiration' or 'possession by a god.' It comes from 'entheos,' formed from 'en-' ('in') plus 'theos' ('god'), literally suggesting 'the god within.' The word originally carried a negative connotation in English, referring to religious fanaticism or excessive zeal, before softening in meaning during the 18th century to denote any strong excitement or keen interest. Its Greek root 'theos' also gives us words such as theism, atheism, and theology.
Related word forms
How enthusiasm is actually used
Enthusiasm is uncountable in its main sense ('full of enthusiasm') but can take a plural when referring to particular passions or pursuits ('her varied enthusiasms'). It carries a strongly positive connotation and is common in both formal and informal contexts, frequently appearing in recommendations and evaluations of character.
Easily confused with enthusiasm
Enthusiasm is the noun naming the feeling itself; enthusiastic is the adjective describing someone who feels it.