What does enthusiastic mean?
Enthusiastic is an adjective used to describe someone who shows intense eagerness, excitement, or keen interest in something — or something done with such visible energy. An enthusiastic supporter cheers loudly; an enthusiastic welcome is warm and animated. The word carries strongly positive connotations, suggesting genuine passion rather than mere politeness, and is at home in both casual conversation and formal writing: one can be enthusiastic about a hobby, a candidate, or a business proposal. It most often appears with the preposition 'about'. Derived from the Greek enthousiasmos, literally meaning 'possession by a god', it entered English in the early seventeenth century alongside its noun form enthusiasm. Today it is one of the standard ways English expresses wholehearted approval, making it essential vocabulary for describing attitudes, reactions, and levels of engagement across everyday and professional contexts.
adjectiveShowing intense and eager enjoyment, interest, or approval; having or expressing strong excitement about something.
- Feeling or showing intense excitement, eagerness, or keen interest in something.
- (of a person) Characterized by a habitually eager and passionate disposition toward an activity or cause.
"She gave an enthusiastic round of applause after the final performance."
"He was enthusiastic about joining the local hiking club."
"The proposal was met with enthusiastic approval from the board."
The Greek root of 'enthusiastic' literally means 'having a god within' — to the ancient Greeks, true enthusiasm was divine inspiration.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of enthusiastic
Enthusiastic derives from the Greek entheos, meaning 'having a god within' (from en- 'in' + theos 'god'), via enthousiasmos, referring to divine inspiration or possession. The word passed into Latin and then French before entering English in the early seventeenth century, initially with a sense of religious fervour or prophetic inspiration that was often viewed with suspicion. Over time its meaning broadened and softened into the modern, positive sense of eager excitement about any pursuit.
Related word forms
How enthusiastic is actually used
Enthusiastic is generally positive in connotation and is common in both formal and informal registers. It is typically followed by 'about', 'over', or occasionally a that-clause ('enthusiastic that...'). In British English it is sometimes used more reservedly as a mild term of praise.
Easily confused with enthusiastic
Enthusiastic means showing eager interest or excitement about something, while energetic means possessing or expending a lot of physical energy, which need not involve any particular feeling.