Meaning & use
aficionados
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“aficionados” is a form of “aficionado”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
nounplural
People who have a keen, informed enthusiasm for a particular activity, subject or art form.
Grammar: Plural of aficionado; usually followed by of or a topic noun: jazz aficionados.
Patterns
- aficionados of something
- wine aficionados
Jazz aficionados filled the small club to hear the trumpet player.
The shop is a favorite among coffee aficionados.
Car aficionados traveled across the country to see the rare model.
nounpluralspecialist
People who are devoted fans of bullfighting, the original use of the word.
Grammar: A narrower, traditional sense linked to Spanish culture.
Patterns
- bullfighting aficionados
Bullfighting aficionados packed the arena in Seville.
The old aficionados of the sport argued about each performance.
Aficionados in the crowd waved white handkerchiefs.
Word forms
| singular | aficionado |
|---|
Common combinations
- wine aficionados
- Wine aficionados can taste the difference between vintages.
- film aficionados
- Film aficionados praised the director's use of light.
- jazz aficionados
- Jazz aficionados gathered for the late set.
- serious aficionados
- Only serious aficionados know every detail of the series.
- aficionados of the game
- Aficionados of the game study every opening.
Synonyms and how they differ
- enthusiasts
- Enthusiasts is the plain, general word, while aficionados suggests deeper knowledge as well as keenness.
- connoisseurs
- Connoisseurs are expert judges of quality, usually in food, drink or art, whereas aficionados may be more devoted than expert.
- fans
- Fans is casual and can mean mere supporters, while aficionados implies informed passion.
- buffs
- Buffs is informal and common in phrases like history buffs, while aficionados sounds a little more refined.
Opposites
Word family
- aficionado noun
- one person who is a keen expert fan
- aficionada noun
- the Spanish feminine form, rare in English
- afición noun
- Spanish word for fondness or fandom
Commonly confused: aficionados or connoisseurs?
aficionados vs connoisseurs
Connoisseurs judge quality as experts. Aficionados are very keen followers who may or may not be expert judges.
Practice
The coffee shop is popular with ______ who can describe the taste of each bean.
Choose one answer.
Aficionados are keen, knowledgeable enthusiasts, which matches describing the taste of each bean. Beginners lack knowledge, and strangers and onlookers say nothing about enthusiasm.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “aficionados”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.