What does fanatically mean?
'Fanatically' is an adverb describing behaviour marked by obsessive, uncompromising enthusiasm or zeal. Someone who acts fanatically devotes themselves to a cause, belief, person, or pursuit with an intensity that strikes others as extreme — and often irrational. The adverb derives from 'fanatic', which entered English in the sixteenth century from Latin 'fanaticus', meaning 'inspired by a deity' or 'frenzied'. In modern usage the word frequently carries a negative connotation: political or religious movements may be described as fanatically opposed to compromise, for instance. Yet it can also be applied more lightly, even approvingly, to hobbies and passions — a person might be fanatically devoted to a football club or fanatically committed to physical fitness. This flexibility makes the word useful for conveying degrees of commitment that ordinary intensifiers cannot: it signals not merely strong interest but devotion that excludes moderation. Related forms include the noun 'fanaticism' and the adjective 'fanatical'.
adverbIn a manner characterized by obsessive, uncritical enthusiasm or zeal; with extreme and often excessive devotion to a cause, belief, interest, or activity.
- With obsessive or excessive zeal and single-minded devotion (often disapproving).
- (Weaker, sometimes approving sense) With intense passion or dedication, as in sport, fitness, or a hobby.
"He trained fanatically for the marathon, running every morning before dawn."
"The regime fanatically suppressed any form of dissent."
"She follows football fanatically, never missing a match."
The Latin root of 'fanatically' gave us 'frenzy' too — both trace back to a temple word for ecstatic possession.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of fanatically
'Fanatically' derives from 'fanatic', borrowed into English from Latin 'fanaticus', meaning 'pertaining to a temple', 'inspired by a deity', or 'frenzied'. The underlying noun 'fanum' referred to a shrine or temple, so the original sense linked religious ecstasy with madness. English 'fanatic' took on its modern pejorative sense of excessive, irrational zeal by the seventeenth century, and the adverb 'fanatically' developed alongside its adjective 'fanatical'. A shortened form of 'fanatic' eventually gave English the familiar word 'fan'.
Related word forms
How fanatically is actually used
Often carries a negative connotation of irrationality or excess, especially in political or religious contexts, but can be used more neutrally or even admiringly for hobbies, fitness, or fandom. Slightly informal-tinged but acceptable in formal writing.
Easily confused with fanatically
'Frantically' means in a hurried, panicked, or wild manner, while 'fanatically' means with obsessive zeal or extreme devotion.